As we get closer to the holidays we know first-hand that snow (and lots of it for the Midwest, especially) is on its way! So before we end up knee-deep in the snow, we wanted to share some winter weather driving tips that are not only useful for van conversions but for every driver on the road.
General Maintenance Tips
A few things you should be checking monthly, especially during the colder months are your fluids, lights and blinkers. Your oil, antifreeze and winter grade windshield washer fluids are especially important, so make sure you have an ample supply to get you where you need to go.
You also want to make sure to check your headlights (both high and low beams), tail lights and blinkers to make sure they’re all in working order. This is important to keeping you and your family safe on the roads and especially important if you’re driving while winter visibility is down.
A few other important features are your brakes and battery. Prior to each winter, check your brake pads to make sure they aren’t worn down. Also, have your battery tested so you can ensure it won’t drain and leave you stranded.
Lastly, you’ll want to pay close attention to your tires. If you don’t use snow tires for winter, it’s a good idea to check your tire pressure and treads. Your tire treads should be thicker than a penny. If they aren’t, your tires need to be replaced to prevent skidding. Your tire pressure should match the PSI notated on the tires themselves and you’ll want to check this regularly as tires lose pressure quicker during the colder winter months.
Safe Driving Tips
After you’ve done your winter weather general maintenance, you’ll want to properly equip your car with a flashlight, extra flashlight batteries, a first aid kit, warm clothing and blankets. These will aid you if you are ever in an accident or are stranded during bad weather.
To help avoid an accident here are a few driving tips:
5. Decrease your speed and leave plenty of room for stopping.
4. Brake gently – it’s better to come to a rolling stop than skid.
3. Keep your lights and windshield clean.
2. Don’t use cruise control – if you start to hydroplane it may be more difficult to regain control.
1. Don’t pass snow plows or sanding trucks.
Remember, there’s no shame in pulling over if the roads aren’t in an ideal driving condition. The most important thing is that you stay safe this winter weather season!
Which of these tips will you be using this winter? What additional safe driving tips have you found helpful?