Severe cold weather can be difficult to navigate, especially in the winter months. With winter snowstorms and icy roads, it can be stressful and worrying to get behind the wheel. While the driving conditions in the snow may not be ideal, there are still some precautions that you can take to ensure that you get to your destination safely.
The most important measure that you can take before hitting the road in the snow is bringing your vehicle into David’s Garage for a winter vehicle inspection. Our friendly experts will take a look at your car to verify that it will be able to stay reliable on wet and slick roads. We can take care of any underlying issue that may affect your ability to drive safely in the snow.
Here are some winter safety driving tips that will help you safely reach your destination in the snow whether driving near or far:
- Always keep a winter emergency kit in your vehicle. You never know when you may find yourself on the side of the road in a snowstorm, so having the following items in your car can be a lifesaver when you need it most: spare tire, jack, jumper cables, tire chains, non-perishable food and water, warm clothing, a flashlight, a glass scraper, blankets, phone charger, and flares.
- Drive slowly when traveling through areas with ice, rain, or snow. Lower speeds can help you get better traction on the road and speeding is one the main cause of accidents in severe weather.
- When you need to accelerate or slow down, do so easily and gently. Slamming on the brakes or gas pedal can make it difficult for your tires to gain traction and cause your tires to spin out, making you lose control of your vehicle.
- Make sure you always have more than enough gas to get to your destination, especially if your route consists of driving through snowy or mountainous areas.
- Before you hit the road, be sure that your vehicle’s tires are in excellent condition with proper tread and tire pressure. The experts here at David’s Garage can help confirm this for you.
- Be prepared by checking the weather of your driving route ahead of time. This will help you better understand the conditions you will be driving in and can be a big help in the instance that a road is closed and you need to take an alternate route than originally planned due to weather.
- Double-check that all of your vehicle’s lights are working properly before driving in the snow. You want to be able to see clearly around your car and be visible to other drivers on the road.
- Have your vehicle’s car battery tested at our shop to make sure that it has the proper charge left. During the summer, car battery fluid can evaporate which can leave drivers stranded unexpectedly during the winter when their battery gives out.
We hope that these snow driving safety tips will be helpful for you this winter here in Akron, OH. If you haven’t yet had a winter vehicle inspection or are planning a winter road trip in the near future, be sure to stop by David’s Garage at your earliest convenience for a comprehensive winter vehicle check to ensure that your car will stay dependable in the cold weather.