New England-based Sullivan Tire has issued a list of winter driving tips for its customers to follow this winter driving season. A team of “Sullivan Tire experts,” according to the tire business, developed the tips, which are posted below.
Get a Winter Check Up
Check your tires, brakes, lights, windshield wipers, battery and antifreeze.
Consider Snow Tires
Sullivan Tire noted that, although advances in vehicle and all-season tire technology have made snow tires less important, in some cases drivers should consider snow tires. Those cases include:
- If you are a skier or snowboarder and head to ski country often
- If you use your vehicle for work and have to drive often in snowy conditions
- If you live or travel to the northern New England states such as Maine and Vermont. These areas typically receive more severe winter weather
Keep Your Windows Clean and Clear
Check window washing fluid and windshield wipers. Also, leave a few extra minutes early to clean your windows before driving. If your windshield is covered with ice or snow, be sure to clear it as much as possible.
Remove All Excess Snow from Your Vehicle
Snow falling from your car can be a hazard. Brush off snow that has piled up on your roof or truck as much as you can before you drive. Always keep an ice scraper and small shovel in your trunk so you are prepared.
Drive Slow and Keep Your Distance
During winter weather, stopping is often the hardest part of driving. In bad weather, you should always drive slower than normal and keep your distance from other cars in case you have to stop unexpectedly. Try to avoid sudden movements of the car. Accelerate gently. Turn gradually. Go easy on the brakes when stopping.
Anti-lock Brakes
If you lose control of the car and begin to skid, and your car has an anti-lock braking system (ABS), apply steady pressure to the brakes and turn in the direction of the skid. Don’t pump the brakes.
If You Get Stuck, Don’t Spin Your Tires
If you get stuck in the snow, spinning your tires too fast can overheat them to the point where they will rupture and cause injury. Rocking your vehicle gently back and forth and accelerating slowly is the correct way to get out of a problem.
Pay Attention to Other Drivers
Everyone is facing the same conditions so chances are if the roads are slippery or the visibility is bad, you need to pay attention to other cars near you in case they lose control of their vehicles.
