Winter driving when there is snow or ice on the ground can be tricky. If you don’t have to go anywhere stay where you are, but if you must go keep these tips in mind.
- Don’t go out until the snow plows and sanding trucks have had a chance to do their work, and allow yourself extra time to reach your destination.
- Make sure your car has an emergency kit in case of an unforeseen accident or if you get stuck.
- Try to keep an emergency prepaid phone in the car at all times in case you need to call someone for assistance.
- Every vehicle handles differently. Practice your winter driving techniques if possible and read your owner’s manual for tips.
- If you are driving on ice decrease your speed and leave yourself plenty of room to stop. You should allow at least three times more space than usual between you and the car in front of you.
- Be careful on bridges, overpasses and infrequently traveled roads, which will freeze first. Even at temperatures above freezing, if the conditions are wet, you might encounter ice in shady areas or on exposed roadways like bridges.
- If your rear wheels start to skid take your foot off the accelerator and steer in the direction you want the front wheels to go. If you have standard brakes pump them gently, and if you have anti-lock brakes (ABS) apply steady pressure to the brakes. It is normal to feel the brakes pulse.
- If your front wheels skid take your foot off the gas and shift to neutral, but don’t try to steer immediately. As the wheels skid sideways, they will slow the vehicle and traction will return. As it does, steer in the direction you want to go. Then put the transmission in “drive” or release the clutch, and accelerate gently.
- If you get stuck do not spin your wheels. This will only dig you in deeper. Turn your wheels from side to side a few times to push snow out of the way. Use a light touch on the gas, to ease your car out.
The safest option for driving in the winter is of course, to give us a call. With our highly trained drivers at Royal Coachman Worldwide, we will get you to your destination safely and on time.
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