Winter is approaching, and the threats that winter weather provides for individuals who will be driving are numerous. Lack of familiarity with icy conditions can cause accidents, so planning time can help decrease risk. Begin with simple checks like oil and antifreeze levels. Consider it a practice to fill up your petrol tank every time you get halfway. So why you won’t you run out of gas when severe weather creates delays?
The most incredible method to keep safe while driving in winter is to ignore them entirely. Stay put if it is feasible to avoid driving in the ice or snow. However, taking shelter is not always an option. If you must go in the snow, ice, or rain, be sure you and your vehicle are both equipped for safe winter driving. Nevertheless, you must also consider the best car tyre company to buy car tyres for better performance on the road.
Five Tips For Winter Driving
- Stay controlled and composed
- Check your car tyres
- Examine the brakes
- Drive Slowly and carefully
- Prepare for the worst
1. Stay Controlled And Composed
Pressing the brakes will assist you in stopping faster and without slipping if you want to stop quickly. If your vehicle has contemporary brake pads, you might have felt or heard the anti-lock braking system (ABS) operate, assisting you in preventing slippery circumstances by rapidly applying the brakes.
If your automobile has a standard gearbox, decelerating through the gears rather than using the brakes can assist slow it down. This comes in helpful, especially while descending a slope. Just be careful not to feather the clutch as you remove it, or you will start sliding.
2. Check Your Car Tyres
Examine the wear on your tyres. In slippery and snowy winter conditions, worn tyres are more prone to slip and slide. For best traction, invest in all-weather or winter tyres. Winter tyres’ softer rubber helps them maintain higher traction in slick conditions. Also, check your tyre pressure frequently since tyre pressure lowers by 1 to 2 pounds for every 10°F change in temperature. So, fill your tyres with the proper pressure for your car.
Winter tyres are designed to operate better in harsh areas where drivers face weather conditions such as snow, rain, and ice. They use materials that remain flexible at cold temperatures to improve road grip. Extremely aggressive and angular tyre patterns quickly push out ice, rain, and snow, improving grip and handling in adverse conditions.
3. Examine The Brakes
If you notice a sound when you press the brake pedal, bring your car in immediately. Your brakes require more than routine maintenance; proper use on the roadway is critical to maintaining control in wet, slippery, or snowy conditions. In addition, slow, consistent braking gives you more than enough time to come to a complete stop before such a light or stop sign.
If you come across a slick piece of road, the easiest approach to slow down is to let off the gas and downshift before hitting the brakes. Whenever you push on the brakes, use strong, consistent pressure to prevent your wheels from locking up.
4. Drive Slowly and Carefully
Travelling may take longer in the winter compared to other seasons of the year, particularly if you encounter stormy weather or snowy roads. In addition, being late adds additional stress to driving in bad conditions, which could impair your ability to make safe driving decisions.
5. Prepare For The Worst
Make sure your phone is fully charged, and you have a charging cable in case you need to call for assistance in an emergency or if you get stuck. If you must take a call, always pull over. However, please resist the urge to use your smartphone while driving because it can be a dangerous distraction.