5 tips for driving on snow and ice
We’ve all gotten stuck in the snow. We stayed at work too long or had to go out last minute for things we needed before a blizzard. Before we knew it, we were stuck in six inches of snow. Here are five great tips for keeping it moving when the snow flies.
(1)
Snow tires, snow tires, snow tires., Nothing works better for tracktion through snow than snow tires. Regular all weather tires pack up instantly, giving no traction at all. Tires made for snow have deep and wide grooves to vent snow. Snow tires are made from softer compounds to give better traction.
Snow tires, snow tires, snow tires., Nothing works better for tracktion through snow than snow tires. Regular all weather tires pack up instantly, giving no traction at all. Tires made for snow have deep and wide grooves to vent snow. Snow tires are made from softer compounds to give better traction. Planning is essential here. Snow tires should be in your garage and ready to go, mounted on basic steel rims.
Get all four tires for the best traction. If you can afford it. Otherwise two for the drive wheels will have to suffice.
Alot of tires are for multi purpose -
But, if you don't want to be all over the road this winter new tires are a must.
(2)Add weight to the drive wheels. Many vehicles are rear wheel drive with the engine and transmission weight up front. With little weight in the rear, wheels easily spin out. If you can’t find any sandbags in your garage to fill up the trunk, get creative! In the worse case you could stockup on bags of dog food or kitty litter, and it can double as a traction getter on ice and snow.
Add weight to the drive wheels. Many vehicles are rear wheel drive with the engine and transmission weight up front. With little weight in the rear, wheels easily spin out. If you can’t find any sandbags in your garage to fill up the trunk, get creative! In the worse case you could stockup on bags of dog food or kitty litter, and it can double as a traction getter on ice and snow. (3)Purchase a good ice scraper. Working at an auto glass shop, I see the wounded windshields after every snow. Improvising car owners have used spatulas, screwdrivers, chisels, and anything else they had around you to get the troublesome ice off quickly. Plan ahead and get your scraper before the first snow, while your favorite auto parts store has them in stock. In a pinch, defrost the windshield on high for a few minutes and use the edge Of their credit card you have with the highest interest rate.
Purchase a good ice scraper. Working at an auto glass shop, I see the wounded windshields after every snow. Improvising car owners have used spatulas, screwdrivers, chisels, and anything else they had around you to get the troublesome ice off quickly. Plan ahead and get your scraper before the first snow, while your favorite auto parts store has them in stock. In a pinch, defrost the windshield on high for a few minutes and use the edge Of their credit card you have with the highest interest rate. With any luck you will get an unscratched ice free windshield and break that nasty credit card in half.
(4)Ever tried to put you key in the car lock but it wouldn't’ even go all the way in? your lock has froze. Auto parts stores carry something called lock de-ice that costs less than a buck. I keep one wherever I park my car. Insert the small tip into the keyhole and then squeeze in the liquid contents. The lubricant usually breaks down the ice in the lock. Buy two., a good backup plan is leaving the door unlocked. The down side, of course, is that the locals might take up your invitation.
Ever tried to put you key in the car lock but it wouldn't’ even go all the way in? your lock has froze. Auto parts stores carry something called lock de-ice that costs less than a buck. I keep one wherever I park my car. Insert the small tip into the keyhole and then squeeze in the liquid contents. The lubricant usually breaks down the ice in the lock. Buy two., a good backup plan is leaving the door unlocked. The down side, of course, is that the locals might take up your invitation. (5)Apply an application of aquapel water relent- it is a high tech application that bonds with your windshield making viability in wet conditions better. Water just slides off your windshield- its better than rainx – and last around 6 months – cost is $11.95. also remember to change your wiper blade at least 2 times per year for best visibility and to keep it from scratching your windshield.
Apply an application of aquapel water relent- it is a high tech application that bonds with your windshield making viability in wet conditions better. Water just slides off your windshield- its better than rainx – and last around 6 months – cost is $11.95. also remember to change your wiper blade at least 2 times per year for best visibility and to keep it from scratching your windshield.We carry both in stock ready to apply to your vehicleThis would be another tip that I would not do without this winter.
Aquapel is excellent - and helps ice from sticking to your windshield. I also put it on our rear windows, doors and outside mirrors - being able to see ..........PRICELESS!
Driving tips:
•Increase you following distance. As weather conditions worsen, stay further away from the vehicle in front of you. If the vehicle loses control you will have more time to react safely. Please - don't dash in front of people thincking they are "going to stop" They may have bad tires, bad visabity and guess what they are not going to be able to stop.
Increase you following distance. As weather conditions worsen, stay further away from the vehicle in front of you. If the vehicle loses control you will have more time to react safely. Please - don't dash in front of people thincking they are "going to stop" They may have bad tires, bad visabity and guess what they are not going to be able to stop. •Watch you mirrors and antenna for ice buildup. Usually, when the mirror face becomes ice coated the road surface will soon follow.
Watch you mirrors and antenna for ice buildup. Usually, when the mirror face becomes ice coated the road surface will soon follow.•Lube all locks, door locks, toolboxes. This can help you from being locked out of your vehicle
Lube all locks, door locks, toolboxes. This can help you from being locked out of your vehicle•Keep all mirrors, windows and lights clean. Being able to see clearly – as well as being seen. AQUAPEL, AQUAPEL, AQUAPEL
Keep all mirrors, windows and lights clean. Being able to see clearly – as well as being seen. AQUAPEL, AQUAPEL, AQUAPELCAN'T SAY ENOUGH ABOUT IT
•Stay abreast of weather conditions and upcoming changes.
Stay abreast of weather conditions and upcoming changes. •Watch for other driver’s bad habits. Tailgating, weaving in and out can be an indication of inexperienced (or stupidity) regardless if it’s car or truck. Most times you can spot an “accident waiting to happen.” Keep your distance. Who needs the stress and honestly what is an extra ten minutes?
Watch for other driver’s bad habits. Tailgating, weaving in and out can be an indication of inexperienced (or stupidity) regardless if it’s car or truck. Most times you can spot an “accident waiting to happen.” Keep your distance. Who needs the stress and honestly what is an extra ten minutes? •Raise your horizon of driving. Watch the distant road ahead for debris in the road, brake lights, merging traffic or anything that could cause you to alter your course or take action. The sooner the better.
Raise your horizon of driving. Watch the distant road ahead for debris in the road, brake lights, merging traffic or anything that could cause you to alter your course or take action. The sooner the better. •Keep your windshield washer bottle full. There’s nothing worse than getting splashed with the chalky calcium de-icier that states use and your visibility goes zip. - and make sure it has an anitfreeze in it or add alchol to yours.
Keep your windshield washer bottle full. There’s nothing worse than getting splashed with the chalky calcium de-icier that states use and your visibility goes zip. - and make sure it has an anitfreeze in it or add alchol to yours. •Treat your fuel for maximum protection. Keep ice hot in your tank to keep any water out of your fuel
Treat your fuel for maximum protection. Keep ice hot in your tank to keep any water out of your fuel•Make sure your windshield wipers are in good shape. Winter wipers – with the rubber coverings that keep ice from collecting on the blade – have become very popular. There’re great in the winter, but make sure you take them off in the spring. Winter wipers are heavy and if you use them all summer , you’ll eventually wear out the wiper motor- We have wipers in stock
Make sure your windshield wipers are in good shape. Winter wipers – with the rubber coverings that keep ice from collecting on the blade – have become very popular. There’re great in the winter, but make sure you take them off in the spring. Winter wipers are heavy and if you use them all summer , you’ll eventually wear out the wiper motor- We have wipers in stock •Keep your gas tank close to full, for a couple of reasons. In the summer, you can take a chance and run down to fumes. But in the winter, if you do get struck or stranded, the engine will be your only source of heat. You don’t want to have to worry about conserving fuel and saving the planet right at that moment… you want to stay warm. (And make sure you keep your window cracked.) We don’t want to lose you from carbon monoxide asphyxiation.
Keep your gas tank close to full, for a couple of reasons. In the summer, you can take a chance and run down to fumes. But in the winter, if you do get struck or stranded, the engine will be your only source of heat. You don’t want to have to worry about conserving fuel and saving the planet right at that moment… you want to stay warm. (And make sure you keep your window cracked.) We don’t want to lose you from carbon monoxide asphyxiation. •The other reason for a full tank is that warm daytime temperatures will fill the empty space in the tank with moisture, which will condense during the cold night. This water will sink to the bottom and sooner or later, rust out your tank. A lot of cars fuel pumps are in the gas tanks on the bottom- letting your gas tank get low will allow your fuel pump to suck up all the debris that is on the bottom of your tank – ruing your fuel pump which is expensive to replace- since they have to drain and drop your fuel tank to replace it.
The other reason for a full tank is that warm daytime temperatures will fill the empty space in the tank with moisture, which will condense during the cold night. This water will sink to the bottom and sooner or later, rust out your tank. A lot of cars fuel pumps are in the gas tanks on the bottom- letting your gas tank get low will allow your fuel pump to suck up all the debris that is on the bottom of your tank – ruing your fuel pump which is expensive to replace- since they have to drain and drop your fuel tank to replace it. •Know your car. Every car has different handling characteristics. You should know what your car can and cannot do in the snow. You should know if it has antilock brakes and traction control, how they work and how they help. Also, see below
Know your car. Every car has different handling characteristics. You should know what your car can and cannot do in the snow. You should know if it has antilock brakes and traction control, how they work and how they help. Also, see below Winter driving emergencies are among the few legitimate uses for a cellular phone. So, if you’re cellular inclined, and you promise not to use it to chat while you smash into other innocent people a cell phone is certainly a plus if you get stuck.
When driving in the snow do everything slowly. Even with good coolant, snow tires, traction control, all wheel drive, and the bag of Doritos in the trunk, keep in mind that driving in snow, sleet and ice is very treacherous. Even if you maintain control of your car, not everyone else will.
So, don’t ever get lulled into a false sense of security. Do everything slowly and gently. Remember, in the snow, the tires are always just barely grabbing the road. Accelerate slowly and gently, turn slowly and gently, and brake slowly and gently. To do this, you have to anticipate turns and stops. That means what? Going slowly and leaving plenty of distance between you and other cars. Rapid movements lead to skids and loss of control. Drive as if there were eggs on the bottom of your feet- step on the gas and brake pedals so gently that you don’ bread the eggshell.
If you are nervous about driving in winter, consider spending some time practicing. Go to an empty parking lot and try sending the car into a little skid on purpose. Slam on the brakes, then practice turning in the skid and see what happens- and practice until you’re comfortable regaining control of the car. Doing this is a large, empty parking lot allows you the luxury of skidding without ending up flat on your back, looking up into the eyes of seven different EMTs. The more comfortable you are maintaining control and regaining control, the better a winter driver you’ll be. Once the snow and ice arrive, take some extra time to make sure your car is clean and your visibility is good. Clear off the entire car, not just a little peephole in the windshield. First of all you need just as much, if not more visibly in poor conditions, berceuses you have to keep you eye peeled for every other knucklehead on the road. Make sure every glass surface is clear and transparent by using a snow brush and /or ice scraper. Your side view mirrors and all lights should be brushed and cleared as well.
Now, if you haven’t been smart enough to do so already, clean the snow off the rest of the car. Why? Because the rest of the snow will either A- slide off the roof and cover your windshield as you’re slowing down; or B – fly off onto some else’s windshield and cause him or her to smash into you .
