The holiday season brings with it numerous opportunities to go out and spend time with family and friends. However, winter roads can be precarious, and driving somewhere during a storm or a blizzard can be a real pain. Preparing your car for unpredictable weather this time of year is the best thing you can do for your vehicle to ensure you and your loved ones are getting to your destination safe and sound.
What Are Some Steps You Should Take Before Driving In The Winter?
- “Winterizing” your car is a lengthy process, so it’s crucial to plan ahead. You should first check your vehicle’s tires for wear and tear and rotate them during every oil change. The best way to do this is the “Penny Test.” You do this by taking a penny, placing it on the groove of your tire, and having Lincoln’s head facing you. Make sure to stick the penny in the tread so that the top of the head isn’t showing. It’s time to replace your tires if you can still see the entire head while in the groove.
- Fill up your tires! Low air pressure is hazardous on winter roads, so it’s paramount to take your car to a mechanic and fill up your tires if necessary. If you already know how to check your vehicle’s tire pressure, you can DIY this process at the car shop or local gas station with a free tire air pump.
- Check your vehicle’s battery! Cold weather has a way of reducing your car battery’s capabilities, so make sure you have a professional check your car’s cables and fuels.
What Are Some “Safe” Ways You Can Drive In The Snow?
- This may be something your parents told you when you were little, but this simple advice still applies- always wear your seatbelt! Wearing a seatbelt can decrease the chance of car crash injuries by more than 45%, so buckle up!
- Keep an eye out for black ice. This ice type is transparent enough to blend in with the pavement, which is what makes it especially dangerous because it’s hard to spot; most of the time, you don’t even know you’ve come in contact with it until you’ve slid over it! The best way to prevent coming in contact with black ice is by keeping your wheel straight and not putting too much pressure on the gas and brakes. If your car starts to fishtail, carefully turn your wheel to the direction of the spin until you’ve gained control of your vehicle.
- Go below the speed limit. It may sound like common sense, but speed is not your friend in this situation! A good litmus test for this is to go 10 mph under the speed limit to be safe. If you’re going too fast on the icy roads, the margin for error is slim-to-none, so be wary of your need for speed.
The holiday season is a magical time, but it can go downhill quickly if your vehicle gets caught in a frigid tempest. We hope you won’t need us, but if you do, our professional team at Tow Pro can put your mind at ease and can take the headache away from any towing or hauling situation. Contact us at (615) 256-TOWS (8697), and we’d be happy to help.