Driving in the wintertime can be hazardous, to say the least. With snow and ice taking over New Jersey in these cold months, it’s best to be prepared! Let’s take a look at some winter driving tips from prepping your car to getting stuck:
Winter Driving Tips
In New Jersey, our towns are prone to be visited by at least one storm in the winter season. And oh how we would all like to stay home! But unfortunately, life doesn’t stop because of a few inches of snow. Though roads may be salted and cleared doesn’t mean one shouldn’t drive with extreme caution. If anything, this is a time to increase your defensive driving! Let’s go through some winter driving tips:
- Preparing for Snow
- Understanding the Environment
- While Behind the Wheel
- If Your Car Gets Stuck
Preparing for Snow
Before the first flakes fall for the season, get your vehicle ready!
Check your fluids! In the middle of a snowstorm is no time to be driving on bad brakes or without washer fluid. So check your car’s brake fluid, anti-freeze, transmission fluid, oil, and windshield washer fluid. If you see you’re using your windshield washer fluid a lot, refill it after the storm so your visibility is as good as it can be. Lastly, gas would fall under the ‘fluids’ category as well. Try to not go under a half tank. Imagine being stuck in the snow and losing heat!
Next replace your wipers if they need replacing! You can check if they are working properly by squirting some water on to the windshield and if it leaves streaks, replace those bad boys. Also, ensure they are on there nice a tight so in inclement weather they don’t fly off.
Take a look at your tires. Are they properly inflated? The change from warm to cold weather will affect your tire pressure. You will probably need to add more air. On top of tire pressure, inspect your tire’s tread. The more tread the better the grip. You can read more about tires here!
A scraper is a must for winter. Preferably one with a brush on one side. In the morning, DO NOT try to scrape your windshield with only your wiper blades. It will ruin them and possibly burn out the wiper motor. Use the scraper and brush to clear your whole car of snow from windshields to lights!
Sadly we see a large amount of drivers who don’t clear off the snow from their roof and hood. Not only can the snow shift and fall onto your windshield causing obstruction to your visibility, but it can also fly off and land on other drivers’ cars. Be safe and spend an extra minute fully clearing your car for you and fellow driver’s safety.
Lastly, what’s inside your car? Winter is no time to keep your car barren. Add some extra supplies for the unlucky chance you do get stuck in the snow somewhere. Winter emergency kit items include: extra clothing or blankets, water, snacks, and a small shovel (see the section below If You Get Stuck).
Understanding the Environment
Two things to be aware about when it comes to your driving environment: if it is below freezing and what parts of the roads freeze first.
Is it below freezing? Most newer cars have a thermometer displaying the outside temperature. Knowing what the temperature is can prepare you for unseen ice.
What parts of the road freeze first? If it’s freezing, below freezing, or if it was below freezing not too long ago, expect there to be ice. The parts of the road that tend to freeze first or remain frozen longer are bridges, overpasses, low lying parts in the road, streets near bodies of water, and spots in shadow.
Similarly, people tend to forget about intersections. It may look slushy and not frozen but that is due to the constant stop and go of traffic. The friction creates heat that melts snow and ice to create a watery look. This actually can cover up ice and create extra lubrication. So beware!
While Behind the Wheel
Don’t rush! Give yourself extra time to get to where you’re going. Take your time with clearing off your car, braking, accelerating, and turning. Easy on the petals! And speaking of braking, accelerating, and turning, do them separately. Do not try to hit the brakes while turning or accelerate while turning. You’re just asking for your car to loss grip and slide.
Double your usual follow distance. Exactly what I said. Double how far you’re from the car in front of you, because remember it’s going to take you longer to stop.
Finally, when driving uphill or downhill, don’t floor it OR stop! Both could cause you to lose control of the vehicle and its grip on a snowy road.
So generally, be smart, take your time, and extra care while driving!
If Your Car Gets Stuck
Now, IF you do get stuck: don’t panic, breathe, and think ‘improve traction’. How can you do that? Start by removing snow and ice from under and around your tires with the little shovel you’ve stored in your winter emergency stash. Then ease on the gas very slowly. If you seem to be slightly moving but not quite getting there, try rocking the car. Meaning go into drive then reverse a few times to create a rocking. Be careful doing this. Your transmission can be damaged if you don’t take care to stop and switch from one to the other.
Lastly, try to lodge something under the front of your tires to increase traction. For example, find a large stick to shove under the tire. It may grib into the snow better and enable a extra amount of traction to free you from the snow.
After you try those tactics and still can’t seem to get out, call a tow truck. They know this happens frequently during snow storms and are at the ready.
Winter Driving Tips: Ready to Ride!
There you go! All the winter driving tips you need for this season. If you’re looking for recommendations for better cars for the winter time, check out our new 2020 Kia Sportage with AWD, or the Kia Telluride with an exclusive SNOW driving mode. If you have an questions our team would be more than happy to assist you in safely driving during the winter. Thanks for reading and safe travels!
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