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Winter Driving
Why a Checklist?
Getting a tune up is very important. Winter weather is hard on a vehicle. Snow and water around the engine can short out wires causing electrical malfunction, extra wear and tear on your battery, and poor fuel consumption.
Should you have to buy a new battery, buy the best battery you can afford.
Remember, our winters are very cold and a heavy duty battery is recommended
for our severe climate.
Checking your coolant levels is also very important,
your engine works harder in extremely cold conditions. Proper
fluid levels are necessary for the car's performance. For example,
a low power steering
fluid level may not only damage the power steering mechanism but
interfere with your ability to steer the car. Keep windshield
washer levels high
if you are traveling on the highway. It is a good idea to
keep an extra supply of windshield washer fluid on hand.
Good tires are always important, tires must be properly inflated
to work effectively. Remember that temperature changes
can affect air pressure. Check the air pressure in your tires
regularly. The correct amount of air in your tires will
improve your
gas
mileage.
Keep in mind that we burn more gasoline during winter months.
It is a good idea to keep you gas tank full, there is
less opportunity for condensation to build up in your gas tank.
Water in your
gas line can cause a lot of problems from failure to
start, to poor engine performance. Remember, we spend more time
warming up our cars, spinning tires, and braking, resulting
in more gas
consumption.
Having a sound running vehicle is just part of the solution to successful
winter driving.
The following suggestion are made to help you
along the way.
- Take the time to warm up your vehicle, clearing the windows
of ice and snow before moving. Many accidents are caused
by people who do not take the time to clear and defrost
their windows.
- Always remember that snow means slow. Remember that
icy roads will affect your ability to steer, accelerate,
and stop. Allow for the extra time needed to get you
somewhere, whether that be across town or across the province.
The
speed
limit
posted
is meant for good driving conditions, which means good
visibility and clear dry roads. These two conditions
are extremely
rare
during the winter months.
- Remain a safe distance from the vehicle ahead of you.
You need extra time for braking, you are much more
likely to slide when braking, more distance is required for
a full stop. Apply your brakes well in advance of a stop
sign. You
may need
to brake several times before a full stop, applying
the
brakes rapidly often leads you into a slide. Applying
the brakes by pumping them several times will help control
your
stop.
- Never use cruise control on icy or snowy highways.
Your vehicle
may accelerate without warning, especially when going
up hill. This can cause your vehicle to spin out of
control.
- Be very careful when passing snow plows. Remember,
your
vision may be blinded for several seconds because
of
blowing snow. Keep in mind that the road ahead of
the snowplow will most likely be full of snow.
- Use the ditch. A deep, snow filled ditch may
be your safest place in an emergency. If you begin to
lose control, it may
be far safer to veer into a ditch than into oncoming
traffic.
- Pass only when absolutely necessary. Overtaking
a
vehicle is one of the most dangerous things you
can do on icy highways.
Remember that black ice forms in patches and
is hard to see, especially at night.
- Make sure you wear your seatbelt and tell
passengers to wear theirs.
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