Well its here, winter that is!!! The roads and the cold have made itself known and trust me safety is something that we all need to take heed to this winter while traveling. No matter if you’re heading out of town or local driving we still need to be careful and alert to the road!
Do you know that according to the NHTSA, 211,188 crashes occur each year due to snow and sleet? Just this past week here in MI on I96 there was a big pile up over 200 vehicles involved due to the snowy roads.
To ensure your family’s safety while traveling the snowy roads this winter, Kelley Blue Books experts has composed a few inclement weather driving tips and in addition, the experts at KBB.com have hand-picked the 10 Best All-Wheel Drive Cars & SUVs under $25,000 and overall 10 Best Cars for Winter to keep your family prepared on the road for winter driving challenges.
No matter what the weather may bring on whether it’s snow, sleet, rain, or anything else Mother Nature has planned KBB.com want everyone to be safe!
So check out these Kelley Blue Book’s Top Tips for Winter Driving
- Make certain your electrical system is prepared for cold, wet weather. Cold diminishes the effectiveness of a car’s battery, so if your battery was on the edge in the fall, the winter will send it over the cliff. What that means is your car won’t start or, if it does start, it might leave you stranded on the side of the road. If you haven’t purchased a battery in a while, have your car battery and the charging system checked. A new alternator – the thing that charges your battery – might also be required.
- Make sure your car has proper antifreeze/coolant in the cooling system.Antifreeze is a no-brainer when the temperature dips below freezing. What is less intuitive is that your car can still overheat even when it is freezing outside. Make sure you have antifreeze/coolant that is up to the job by having it checked. And a check of belts and hoses at the same time is advisable.
- Check out your tires. At the very least make sure your all-season tires have good tread depth and are at proper inflation pressures. If you live in the Snow Belt, dedicated winter tires could well be a better solution. That involves some expense, but amortized over several winters the cost will likely be worth it due to the safety and peace of mind you gain.
- Visibility is often compromised in winter weather, so be certain your windshield wipers and windshield washers are working properly. If your wipers have been soaking up the sun all summer, they are probably compromised, so treat your car to a new set. And make certain your windshield washer reservoir is filled with wiper solvent, not plain water that can freeze and render them inoperable. Check that rear wiper and washer, too, if you have one.
- Prepare your winter driving skills. In the winter you will often drive over surfaces that are compromised by snow, ice and freezing rain. Learn how to handle your car in these situations by practicing in an empty parking lot. Bad weather rewards patience and smoothness.
- Don’t drive on “E.” Bad weather can descend on you quickly, and it might leave you marooned. In such an instance the last thing you want to do is run out of gas, because that can turn your car’s warm cabin into a deep freeze. You don’t have to top off every day, but don’t run the car near empty either.
- Plan for a worst-case scenario. Despite your best efforts, you might find yourself stranded. That’s when prior preparation can help you. Having warm clothing, gloves, an operating flashlight, and water or liquids in the car can aid your survival and rescue in inclement weather. If you live in an area that gets heavy snow, chains can aid traction considerably and kitty litter can help you extricate your car if it gets stuck. Throw in a good book, and you can profitably pass the time.
You can always visit KBB.com website to learn more and remember “SAFETY FIRST & HAPPY TRAVELING”!!!
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