Winter Driving Conditions

For those of us who live in places where winter driving conditions are a factor, there are important safe driving techniques that must be practiced. Snow, ice, and below freezing temperatures are issues that need to be considered before we head out in our cars. Drivers located in areas with frequent snow conditions should take a defensive driving class: California online traffic school, or Washington defensive driving class.

Before leaving your house in the morning or at any time when weather conditions are unfavorable, do the following: start your engine--and wait for a full minute. Give your motor and its all-important engine oil a chance to warm up. While you are waiting, turn on your heating system, directing the heat to the windshield, and turn on your rear defogger too. If your windshield is ice covered, give your heater a chance to begin to soften the ice, and then scrape, scrape, scrape, being careful that you don’t damage the windshield or the wiper blades. Use an ice scraper that has a brush on the other end. When the windshield is clear, brush off the wiper blades, and then clear all of the other windows and your side mirrors. If ice is encrusted on the other windows or on the mirrors, then, of course scrape them clean. Never scrape your wiper blades. Allow the car’s heating system to partially melt the ice, and then gently knock off the ice with the ice scraper or pick it off with your fingers.

Your windshield washer fluid tank should be filled at all times with all-weather washer fluid. It is a good idea to have a small shovel and a small bag of sand in your trunk during the winter. They are useful when you are attempting to dig out and move your car from a snowy spot.

Check those tires. During cold weather, the air in tires compresses. While you are better off having slightly less air in your tires during the winter, in terms of traction, you do not want them to be grossly under-inflated.

Speaking of tires, are they worn? If so, replace them. Are they all-weather or snow tires? If not, then, by all means, think about buying a set of those.