Cold Weather Driving Tips

Mar 8, 2015

Winter weather can be dangerous and extreme. It’s both hard on your car, and hard to drive in. If your car’s not up to snuff for the winter, now would be a good time to check out used cars for sale in Bismarck, ND. Check out the tips below to keep safe this winter.

Check Your Fluids

Check your windshield wiper fluid and your antifreeze. Being able to clear your windshield of all the junk that flies up from the road is important. Antifreeze is vital in cold conditions to keep your cooling system working properly.

Where Is Your Car Warming Up?

According to AAA, you should never warm your car up in a closed garage or any other sealed space. Always make sure there’s outside air flow to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.

No Cruising

You may use cruise control on a regular basis, which can be helpful under regular conditions. “Using cruise control in the snow, ice, or even rain is dangerous, because if your car hydroplanes or skids, the car can accelerate and spin the wheels, attempting to maintain a constant speed,” according to Weather.com.

Don’t Skimp on Maintenance

You may not want to do a lot of things during the winter months, but vehicle maintenance shouldn’t be one of them. Keep up with regular maintenance, and fix any problems as they arise. Being stuck on the side of the road in cold weather is hazardous.

Tailgating Is a No-No

Under regular conditions tailgating is unsafe. During winter weather, it can be a huge hazard. Hydroplaning or sliding on slick surfaces can cause you to hit the car in front of you. It’s important to remember that your stopping distance is much longer in wintry conditions.

Clear Off Your Car Completely

It may be tempting to clear just what might be absolutely necessary, but you should clear the whole car before driving away. Visibility is important to driving and will keep you safe. Your headlights should be included in the clear off.

Keep Emergency Supplies

You never know when you might get stuck on the side of the road or bad weather may leave you stranded. It’s important to keep a full emergency supply kit, including a first aid kit, blankets, food, a flashlight, extra batteries, jumper cables, and more.

Keep Your Gas Tank Full

It’s important to keep your gas tank as full as possible. First, you never know when you may be stuck and need to stay warm. Second, you should keep at least a half a tank of gas in your car to avoid your gas line freezing up, leading to costly consequences.

A Last Few Reminders

When the roads are bad, you should always drive slowly and smoothly, keeping a large distance between your car and the car in front of you. Now is a good time to visit Bill Barth Kia Mandan, ND, or call (701) 667-9999 to find your best vehicle options for the winter weather!