Snow came early to Western Washington this year, so we could be in for a long, cold winter. It would be a good idea to prepare for hazardous driving conditions for the next four months.
Tips for Getting Through Winter Driving Safely
Know your car’s limitations
Be in tune with how your car responds in the snow, especially if it’s never been through a winter. Sure, features like antilock brakes and all-weather tires are helpful, but every car performs differently. After a snowfall, find an empty parking lot and practice stopping, starting and turning to get a feel for your vehicle’s handling capabilities.
Prepare the car for cold weather
- Cold weather can affect a battery’s performance. Check it before the temperature drops.
- Change your oil and filter and make sure your wiper fluid contains antifreeze.
- Replace your windshield wiper blades if you haven’t done so recently. Visibility is key in winter weather.
- Your tires should have a good tread and be inflated properly. Consider winterizing your car with snow tires.
Winter survival kit
Always being prepared for the worst is a smart way to take on winter. See the chart on this page to see suggested items to have in your kit. We also recommend a shovel, a bag of salt or kitty litter, and a blanket to help you get your car unstuck and back on the road.
Keep your gas tank full
If a snowy commute causes a traffic jam lasting for hours, you don’t want to run out of gas and get stuck on the road. Or, in the event you get stranded somewhere remote, your running car can keep you warm until help arrives. It’s best to never let your gas tank go below half full.
Drive with caution
Speeding in wintery weather is a recipe for disaster! Take your time and arrive safely. Posted speed limits are meant for optimal driving conditions, not snow and ice. Leave more distance between you and other cars since stopping distances are greater.
No cruise control
When driving over patches of ice or standing water, disable your cruise control. The automatic shifting or downshifting of cruise control can cause you to lose traction and head into a slide.
Icy bridges
Be careful when driving over bridges and overpasses as they can be icy even when the roads are not. This is due to the fact that cool air moving under a bridge or overpass can make the surface of the road above colder, so what was water on the approaching stretch becomes a sheet of ice on the bridge.
Black ice
Keep your low-beam headlights on when driving. Their reflection of the road surface ahead may help you spot icy pavement. If you hit black ice, do as little as possible. Black ice isn’t even black, it’s clear. The dark pavement shows through it and it might just look like wet, shiny pavement. Don’t brake or turn, just let your car coast over it. Black ice is usually less than 20 feet long, so you should be past it quickly.
The key to safe winter driving is to be cautious and not take chances. Then you and your family can enjoy the winter trips without falling victim to its many hazards.
Sources: PEMCO Insurance, Mutual of Enumclaw Insurance, www.recreation.gov
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