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8 Winter Driving Tips and How to Prepare Your Car for Winter

8 Winter Driving Tips and How to Prepare Your Car for Winter Category:Outdoor and Recreation
8 Winter Driving Tips and How to Prepare Your Car for Winter

Winter is just around the corner, which means it’s time to get your vehicle ready for the long road ahead. Driving in the winter can be a minor inconvenience for some and a major headache for others. It all depends on the local climate, the condition of the roads and how well you prep your vehicle ahead of time. Not having the right accessories and driving too fast can easily put you and your loved ones at risk.

About 17 percent of car accidents occur in snowy conditions, according to the Federal Highway Administration. That means that over 1,800 people die per year due to driving in snowy and icy conditions. If you think you’re immune to winter weather, think again. Around 70 percent of roads in the United States are in snowy areas. From reduced visibility to sudden stops and slides, learn how to protect yourself behind the wheel when the snow starts to fall.

Preparing Your Vehicle for Winter

Let’s start with the car itself. 

It’s best to start prepping your car or truck before the first blizzard arrives so you’re always prepared for whatever comes your way. Gearing up for winter weather all depends on where you live, so research the local climate to get a sense of what you’ll need. Are you looking at deep ravines of ice and snow or the occasional flurry on your way to work? 

Think about where you plan on traveling this winter, as well. Long road trips require more prep, but if you plan on staying in one place or working from home this winter, you probably don’t need to spend a fortune on a bunch of expensive equipment. 

Schedule a Check-Up

  • Schedule a Check-Up

Get started by taking your vehicle into the shop for a maintenance check-up. This is a surefire way to make sure your car or truck is in great shape before you take off on your next adventure. The mechanic will look over things you might otherwise miss, such as your battery, internal components, brake and lights, the brake lines, exhaust system, heater/defroster, windshield wipers and the ignition system. 

Chances are your local mechanic is familiar with the lay of the land, so they can suggest specific accessories that will help you get through winter. For example, driving in the mountains is much different than hitting the freeway, so don’t be afraid to ask questions. Talk to your mechanic about your plans for the season for personalized tips and accessories. 

  • Tires

Traction is key when it comes to winter driving. Your tires need to have contact with the road, or you can easily lose control behind the wheel. When driving over snow and ice, there’s a good chance your tires will roll. You won’t be able to stop unless you have what’s known as “rolling traction.” Keep your tires on the road to make sure you can still steer and come to a complete stop. 

If you don’t have deep treads on your tires, consider upgrading to snow tires or all-terrain tires. They come with deep grooves and expanded tread patterns for maximum traction on the road. This will help you brake when rolling or driving over ice and snow.

Worn tires can be a hazard even in dry conditions, so now’s the time to upgrade. Keep an eye on your tire pressure as well. Cold weather leads to permeation, which can sap the air out of your tires, so keep a pump handy. Get in the habit of checking your PSI regularly as the temperature continues to fluctuate. Remember that the air pressure inside your tires will drop about one or two PSI every time the outside temperature drops 10 degrees F.

  • Protecting the Interior

Winter weather can be just as destructive to the inside of your car as the exterior. During the winter, it’s best to hit the car wash once or twice a month to get rid of all that mud, dirt and salt. But don’t forget to protect your floors and seats. 

Protecting your Interior

Use rubber floor mats to keep mud, melted snow, ice and salt out of your car. You’re bound to track in all kinds of water and dirt as the months go on, but this can lead to the spread of mold, mildew and bacteria, lowering the air quality inside your vehicle. Your heater will just blow these particles around in the air, which can put you and your family at risk. Leaks and spills can also get into the body of your vehicle, causing electrical damage. 

Floor mats help you keep your car clean. Instead of trying to soak up melted snow, just pull out the mat, rinse it off with some water, let it dry and you’ll be good to go. They come with deep grooves that collect excess moisture so it doesn’t get into the carpet. It’s the easiest way to keep dirt and water at bay so you and your loved ones can stay warm and dry all winter long. 

Seat covers do the same thing for the upholstery in your vehicle. You don’t want to spend the winter scrubbing mud, dirt and spilled coffee out of your seats. Use these form-fitting seat covers to protect the front and back seat from everyday spills and leaks. Just throw them in the wash when they get dirty and the interior will look as good as new.

  • Essential Accessories

You may need to stock up on some additional winter weather accessories if you live up north or plan on taking a long road trip. Even with the best tires in the world, there’s still a chance you could get stuck or lose traction in the ice or snow. 

Bring along a set of rubber traction pads just to be safe. They don’t take up a lot of space and it’s easy to carry them around in case of an emergency. If you get stuck, slide a pad in front of or behind the stuck tire for some much-needed traction. Your tire should start to move once it gets onto the pad. It’s much easier to get a grip when driving on rubber than it is in snow. 

It’s also a good idea to have a light bar when driving in rural areas. Your factory headlights may not be enough in the middle of a blizzard, especially when staying home isn’t a choice. This is a must-have accessory for snowplows, emergency vehicles and other essential workers. 

When driving off-road, bring along a winch, chains or recovery kit in case you can’t retrieve your vehicle. A sudden winter storm could leave you stranded in the middle of the woods.

spare tire

  • Preparing for an Emergency

Before you head out on the road, load up on emergency supplies to give yourself more peace of mind. Hopefully, your spare tire is still in good shape. You should also have a jack, toolbox and work light in case you need to make some last-minute repairs. Bring along a first aid kit with medications, medical supplies and other essentials. When faced with winter weather, you may need a compass, fire starter and other survival gear when exploring rural areas or those off the beaten path.

For roadside emergencies, bring along contact info for the nearest rescue team or AAA. You should have flares in case you need to wave anyone down. It’s also a good idea to bring along jugs of salt and sand in case you get stuck. Both are fairly cheap, after all. Sand is best used in slippery areas, while salt is great for breaking up snow and ice. Don’t forget to bring a shovel and ice scraper as well. You never know when you’ll have to dig yourself out of the snow.

If you don’t have enough room in your car for all these winter supplies and accessories, you can always invest in under seat storage to give yourself some extra space. It’s perfect for storing valuables, medications and emergency essentials. You won’t have to worry about these items getting wet or going missing when you need them most.

3 Driving Tips for Winter

3 Driving Tips for Winter

Once your vehicle is ready to go, it’s time to start driving. Accessories aside, the best way to prepare for winter weather is to adjust your driving habits. The three pillars of safe winter driving are:

  • Slow down
  • Stay back
  • Stay alert

Sounds pretty easy, right?

Slow Down

Let’s start with slowing down. Officials say it’s best to reduce your speed by a third when driving on wet roads and by half or more when driving on snow-covered roads. If you’re used to driving 60 MPH on the highway, cut it back to 40 MPH in wet conditions and 30 MPH or slower in snowy conditions. 

Driving on snow

Even if the road looks clear, be aware of what’s known as the dreaded “black ice.” This is when water freezes on the road, but it looks as if there’s nothing there. The road tends to be cooler in shaded areas, so remember to take it slow when it’s near freezing out, even if you think you’re in the clear. 

However, it all depends on what you’re working with. There’s no such thing as the “ideal” speed when driving in the winter. If the road looks treacherous, err on the side of caution–or just stay home if you can. Pay attention to the speed limit, apply the math mentioned above and use your judgment. 

The faster you go, the harder it will be to brake. When putting your foot on the brake, go slow and start earlier than you would in dry conditions. If you press too hard too fast, your car will likely start to roll.

Be patient and slow down. You will get to your destination eventually.

Stay Back

This one is pretty straightforward, but it bears repeating. If you like creeping up on slow drivers as a way of getting them to speed up, it’s best to ditch this habit sooner rather than later.

Decrease your following distance in the winter to avoid any rear-end collisions. It’s best to double the space between you and the nearest vehicle. Every road, city and neighborhood tends to be different, so there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. Keep your eyes on the car ahead of you to make sure you’re slowing down or speeding up accordingly.

Make sure other drivers can see your car as well. Keep the headlights and brake lights free of snow and debris so everyone can follow these rules. 

focused driver

Stay Alert

Finally, consider changing your state of mind behind the wheel. Instead of treating your commute to work like your last minute of freedom before you head into the office, think of winter driving as an exercise in safety. Try to avoid looking away from the road for whatever reason. Keep directions in sight so you don’t have to keep looking at your phone. Turn down the music and avoid daydreaming behind the wheel. 

It’s tempting to zone out when you’re creeping along at 30 MPH on the highway, but remember that things can change at a moment’s notice, especially when there’s snow coming down and your visibility is limited. If you’re driving with a friend or loved one, encourage them to focus on the road as well. Sometimes, safety is a group effort.

There are so many ways to prepare your vehicle for another season of brutal winter weather. Even if this year ends up being mild, these tips will make your life a lot easier. Relax, stay safe and start prepping your vehicle today before the first storm arrives.

 

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