With the snow, sleet and ice nearly upon us, we will soon realize how rusty our winter driving skills have gotten. True, it doesn’t take too much time to get your skills back but here is a list of 10 winter driving safetly tips to keep in mind.
1.) Traction, traction, traction. You need tread that’s at least 6/32-inch deep for snow traction. While some all-season tires might be OK, when in doubt get snow tires.
2.) Windshield. Replace your wiper blades (which should be done annually anyway). Apply a liquid water-shedding product to the outside of all your windows and mirrors. And finally, make sure your windshield washer system is working and filled with a anti-icing fluid.
3.) Air conditioning. Condensation and frost of the interior of the windows? When you crank up the defroster turn on the air conditioning and turn the temperature to the highest setting.
4.) Lights. Make sure that headlights and taillights are in good working order, if the lenses are pitted this is a good time to replace them. Also, make sure you brush off and clear snow off of the lights.
5.) Brakes. Remember how to properly use your anti-lock brakes? Stomp hard on the brake pedal, steer around whatever is in your way. After you stomp and the ABS cycle begins the pedal will start to pulse or vibrate (it just means the system is working), ease up slightly until the pulse happens only once per second. If you do not have ABS, press the break pedal until the wheels stop, then release enough to get them rolling again, repeat until you gain traction again.
6.) Black Ice. Be aware of black ice, especially on bridges where the moisture on the road can freeze before other areas. Test the traction by applying slight brake pressure to see how your vehicle reacts.
7.) Remember… Icy spots are likely to occure in the same spots. The same bridges and intersections that were icy last year are likely to be danger zones again. Just like a race car driver memorizing difficult parts of specific tracks, remember the difficult roads you’ve encountered in the past.
8.) Turn, but not too much. When your front tires lose traction, don’t oversteer. When the ice ends and the tires get traction again your vehicle will go where ever the car is pointed. It can happen even with an ABS system.
9.) Avoid rear-tire sliding. Make sure your rear tires have at least as much tread as your front tires; if you do get snow tires make sure to get all 4 (it’s worth the investment). Better yet, get a vehicle with electronic stability control (ESC). Good news for those who are car shopping now, ESC will be mandatory in all 2012 models.
10.) Pay attention. All of the technology in the world will not make take the place of you paying attention to the road and the drivers around you. Do not let 4-wheel drive, all-wheel drive, anti-lock brake systems and electronic stability control lull you into a false sense of security.
As always, your comments are always welcome. Please visit us at www.niagaralubricant.com or at www.facebook.com/NiagaraLubricant