Top 5 Winter Driving Tips
The excitement and joy of the holiday season is here, but that also means winter driving. Snow, ice, sleet, and low temperatures will be here for the next several months. With these driving conditions, you’ll want to know how to operate your vehicle in safe and cautious ways as you hit the road. Check out some of our tips for driving in the snow below! And now, you can prepare for winter with winter maintenance now at Smith Chevy Hammond!
Turn Cruise Control Off
Winter weather conditions make it much less safe to use cruise control. The dangers of driving in snow, ice, and slush make using cruise control much more likely to cause you to lose control of the vehicle because it does not react as quickly to slippery conditions. It also cannot adjust according to specific patches of ice or slush. When driving in the winter, you should avoid using cruise control generally.
Always Keep Your Tank Full
In the winter, it’s easy to get behind on filling up your vehicle’s gas tank because drivers generally use more gas in the winter months. Winter is a dangerous time to run out of gas, so you’ll need to stop at the gas pump more frequently. Running out of gas, like in heavy traffic that often happens during snow or ice storms, could leave you stranded on the side of the road. The frigid temperatures could be a serious safety risk. Even if your tank is half full, it’s worth filling it up just in case.
Get Rid of Ice and Snow
Another way to take safety precautions in the winter is to make sure your windshield is free from any blockage caused by ice or snow. Starting your vehicle and setting the temperature console to defrost on the highest temperature and intensity setting can help melt some of the ice and snow on your vehicle, making it easier to scrape it away with your snow brush. Make sure to also brush off your mirrors and windows to keep your road visibility clear.
Decrease Your Speed
This tip may seem pretty obvious, but we all forget it as soon as we’re running late for work or have only a short time to run errands. Slowing down can make a huge difference for your winter driving safety because ice can be anywhere. Reducing your speed will also make up for the reduced traction wheels have in the winter and prevent your wheels from sliding on ice. It’s also a good idea to leave plenty of space between your vehicle and other vehicles or objects around you.
Winterize Your Vehicle with Winter Maintenance
One major way to improve your safety during the winter is to get winter maintenance for your vehicle. Getting special winter gear and accessories can also help your safety and convenience. Depending on your needs, winter maintenance might include investing in new wiper blades, refilling your car’s fluids, or installing a cold weather car battery. Schedule your winter maintenance appointment now at Smith Chevy!
Visit Smith Hammond!
Looking for Chevy dealers in Northwest Indiana? Visit Smith Chevrolet today for all your needs, whether you’re looking for a new or used car, need to schedule service with our Smith Chevy Parts department, or want to trade-in your vehicle today! At Smith Motors, our unmatched service and diverse Chevrolet inventory have set us apart as the preferred dealer of Hammond residents. Visit us to learn more about safe winter driving or get winter service today!
