Winter is on the way, and the potential for hazardous road conditions looms large.
Citing a 10-year study, the Federal Highway Administration reports an average of nearly 1.2 million weather-related vehicle wrecks per year, about 22% of the overall total. Many of these wrecks are linked specifically to winter weather:
- 17% take place during snow or sleet
- 13% occur on icy pavement
- 14% happen on snowy or slushy pavement
Take the time to prepare your car for the cold, dark and damp days ahead. Here’s how.
Have a mechanic take a look
It's a good idea to take your vehicle to the shop for a tune-up and a thorough checkup, especially if you live in a part of the country prone to severe winter weather. Here’s what the mechanic should be looking at:
- Battery. Low temperatures can put additional strain on your vehicle, especially during the start-up process. For example, the oil in your car is not flowing as fluidly in winter and batteries lose power simply from the colder weather. If your charge is low, you’re at a higher risk of being stranded. Have the battery checked, and replaced if necessary.
- Oil. Neglecting to change your oil regularly can cause serious damage to your car. We already know that winter puts your car through the wringer, so do yourself and your car a favor and get your oil changed.
- Tires. Tire pressure dips along with the temperature – one pound with every 10-degree drop – which can cause problems with your vehicle’s handling and braking. Make sure your tires are properly inflated and keep an eye on how the treads are wearing.
- Brakes. Have them checked to make sure they are in good condition. You never want to risk your safety with faulty brakes, especially when the roads are icy.
- Radiator. Have your radiator flushed and your coolant hoses checked. Also, make sure you have the right type of antifreeze for your region’s climate.
- Heating and defrost system. If you’re stranded on the side of the road in below-freezing temperatures and your car isn’t producing heat, the results could be dire. Make sure your heating and defrost system is in tip-top shape.
Prepare for a worst-case scenario
No matter what part of the country in which you live, it’s important to be prepared for the unexpected. Keep an emergency kit in your car. These survival kits should include items such as:
- Blankets
- Water
- Nonperishable foods, such as granola bars
- Flashlight and extra batteries
- First-aid kit
- Jumper cables
- Cell phone charger
- Sand or kitty litter for tire traction
- Ice scraper
- Tow rope
It’s also a good idea to fill up when your gas tank hits the quarter-full mark. Letting it dip further toward empty can put strain on your fuel pump.
If you are stranded, stay in your vehicle to keep yourself sheltered from the elements, and run the engine sparingly to conserve gas until help arrives.
Don't try to scrape by
Sometimes, you may be in such a rush to get to work that you scrape only the bare minimum of your windshield and windows and trust the defroster to handle the rest. Take the extra few minutes to scrape all the glass to give yourself maximum visibility. Cutting corners could put you at greater risks of getting involved in, or causing, a wreck.
See and be seen
Always drive with your lights on during the winter. Doing so will allow cars behind you to maintain a safer distance, and you’ll be able to more easily see the vehicles in front of you. If you’re driving in particularly heavy snowfall, turn on your hazard lights so other motorists can see you better.
Two words: Slow down
Winter is a particularly good time to put your lead foot in hibernation. Reduce your speed to allow yourself more time to react in poor driving conditions.
Prepare for the road ahead
Sometimes there simply is no way around having to drive in less-than-ideal weather conditions. To stay safe, it helps to be ready.
Barry Bridges writes for SafecoInsurance.com and HomeownersInsurance.com, an online resource for homeowners and drivers across the country. Offering automobile and homeowners insurance quotes, consumers rely on HomeownersInsurance.com for competitive rates from top-rated insurance carriers. The HomeownersInsurance.com blog provides fresh tips and advice on a range of financial topics to help homeowners and homebuyers make educated decisions about their insurance purchases.
