Stay Safe This Winter With These 4 Cold Weather Driving Tips

Winter weather not only poses challenges for your vehicle, but it also brings a variety of hazards that can threaten your safety on the road. If you live in an area with freezing temperatures and plenty of snowfall, you have to be prepared to deal with reduced visibility and slippery roads, which can significantly increase your risk of getting into an accident. Follow these four tips to stay safe this winter.

Use Winter Tires

This is something many people overlook during winter. While all-season tires deliver great traction and handling on dry paved roads, they certainly do not perform the same way on wet or icy roads. When it gets really cold, the treads on these tires may harden and increase your chances of skidding. Winter tires, on the other hand, are specially designed to give you optimal traction on slippery roads. They come with softer treads that stay flexible even in sub-zero temperatures and deeper tread grooves for improved road grip.

Reduce Your Speed

It’s also important that you drive slowly and carefully in the winter. Due to poorer traction on wintry roads, your vehicle may not respond as quickly as you want it to. Even with winter tires, it will need a longer distance to come to a stop. Driving at a slower speed during winter enables you to brake and turn more easily and safely. It also helps you stay more aware of your surroundings, which is especially essential when you’re experiencing poor visibility.

Get Your Car Serviced

You should also visit your local auto shop or dealership to have your car comprehensively serviced at the start of the winter season. Your vehicle is more susceptible to mechanical problems when it’s exposed to very cold temperatures. As such, there is a greater likelihood that it will break down on the road.

A breakdown can be worrisome or even dangerous if it occurs in the middle of nowhere or late at night. The nearest auto shop may be located far away or already be closed. Emergency rescue services also tend to take longer to respond in the winter. Having your car properly serviced can help you avoid such a situation. Make sure your mechanic performs a thorough inspection on your car, fix all identified problems, and top up all fluids.

Keep Your Gas Tank Full

During winter, the gas lines in your vehicle may freeze up, especially if they have little or no fuel in them. You can prevent this from happening by keeping your gas tank full. Try not to let the fuel level go below the half-way mark.

There is a lot more you can do to stay safe on the road during the winter, including viewing weather reports and increasing your following distance. However, the best way to minimize your risk of accidents is to exercise extra caution and attentiveness while driving. Besides driving safely, you should also keep an eye out for errant drivers and pedestrians because everybody is more prone to making mistakes during winter.

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