There’s no escaping it — winter is here and that brings a variety of driving conditions that we need to cope with and adapt to.
“For insurance companies, the winter months are our heaviest collision times,” says The Co-operators. “These collisions happen for a number of reasons but mostly because drivers don't adapt their driving habits to reflect changing road conditions.”
Winterize Your Car
- Change to lightweight, multi-grade oil as heavy oil thickens in cold weather, making it harder for the engine to turn over.
- Cold weather is hard on batteries so if yours is a few years old, check to make sure the connections are not corroded.
- Worn tires are dangerous any time of the year — in winter weather they are treacherous!
- Safety, mileage and tread wear are all affected by improper tire pressure. Check your tire pressure monthly as for every five degrees Celsius the temperature drops, your tire pressure decreases by one pound.
- Have the brakes checked to make sure you have equalized braking on all wheels. This eliminates pulling to one side, especially when stopping on a slippery surface.
Before Your Journey
- Make sure your lights work and that they are clear of ice and snow. Top up your windshield fluid and carry a spare bottle in the trunk. On a slushy day, you may need to clean your windshield every few minutes. There's nothing more dangerous than the reduced vision of dirty windshield.
- Clear ice and snow from the car and defrost all windows, making sure the wipers are cleaned off and in working order. Remove snow from the hood and roof to prevent it from blowing up on the windshield and rear window as you pick up speed. It's not only potentially dangerous but a driving offense as well.
- Listen to the radio to find out local road conditions and accidents — it will help you prepare mentally for the drive ahead.
- Always travel with a full tank of gas. Not only will it add weight to the rear of the vehicle but it will also help keep moisture from forming in the gas tank which can cause your gas line to freeze. Add a bottle of fuel de-icer in your tank once a month to keep this from happening.
Are you one of those people who goes down the highway scraping off the inside of your windows due to heavy condensation? It's caused by snow that's brought into the car on footwear or the increased humidity of breathing. Leave a door open for about 30 seconds or open a window right away and this will help clear the humidity.
Braking Techniques
A much greater distance is needed to bring a vehicle to a stop in icy or snowy conditions, so keep a greater distance between your vehicle and the car in front of you. If you do not have an Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), slamming on the brakes could lock the wheels and produce an uncontrolled skid. Motorists should pump brakes gently and intermittently to bring the vehicle to a halt while maintaining steering control. In winter conditions you need to slow down gradually in advance of any stop.
For better traction, start out slowly and maintain an even speed; jerky stops and starts can cause skidding. Here's how to handle a skid and prevent your wheels from locking:
- Turn your steering wheel slightly so your car's wheels point in the direction you want to go.
- Take your foot off the gas slowly.
- De-clutch with a standard transmission or shift into neutral with an automatic car.
- Apply the brakes gradually and gently by squeezing the brake pedal until you feel it grab (ease off and repeat until you have stopped).
- With the anti-lock brake system (ABS) you must slam on your brakes rather than pump.
Auto Coverages
Many people routinely remove insurance from vehicles that aren't driven in winter. If you decide to do this, we recommend you keep at least comprehensive coverage for protection against vandalism or theft. Talk to your agent for more details.
In Case You’re Stranded…
- Do not leave your car.
- Do not take a nap unless you are with someone who will stay awake while you rest.
- When running the motor for warmth, do so in short intervals and keep a window partially open for ventilation to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.
- Keep the exhaust pipe clear of snow.
- Exercise occasionally by stamping your feet, swinging your arms and clapping your hands.
This Car Emergency Kit Could Save Your Life
- Gas line anti-freeze
- Flashlight
- Call Police sign
- Flares
- Warm clothing or blankets
- Sand or kitty litter for traction if you get stuck
- First aid kit
- Booster cables
- Shovel
- Tow strap
- Cable or chain
- Put a few high energy snacks in your glove box
