Is the journey necessary?

Firstly, ask yourself if your journey is really necessary.  If it’s blizzard like conditions outside and you want to go out but don’t really need to, then you might be better off staying indoors.  Or, consider the option of using public transport.

If your journey is necessary, however, then make sure you allow extra time to get to where you need to go, drive slowly and carefully and fully prepare your car before setting out. Check road conditions with your local radio before you leave the house, as well.

Clear your view

If you do need to go out, then make sure your windows and mirrors are clear from any snow and ice.  De-ice frozen windows with a scraper.  Use the car’s air conditioning to help demist the windows and reduce any condensation.

Don’t forget about removing snow from your number plates.  If they are illegible, then you could get fined.

Make sure you remove accumulations of snow off your roof as well, as this could present a real hazard to other drivers if it falls and obscures their view.

Check that snow isn’t blocking the exhaust as it can cause dangerous fumes to escape into the car.

Check your tires

Make sure your tires are in good condition and can cope with winter driving.  Ensure they are fully inflated and that the tread is at least 3mm.  All season or winter tires have a high silica content in the tread, which makes them better for coping with the winter elements – so consider changing yours over.

Antifreeze

No car owner should be without some antifreeze during the harsh months, as it can help protect your engine from getting damaged from freezing up.  Always use the correct type of antifreeze for your car, and never mix different ones together.

Battery power 

Keep a check on your battery when the weather turns bad.  Most batteries don’t last longer than five years, so get yours replaced if it’s nearing the end of its shelf life.  Try not to over-run electrical systems, as they can eat away at the battery.

Be prepared

Always be prepared in case you end up getting stranded on the road.  Make sure you have warm clothing and a blanket, water, a flask and some snacks, and your mobile phone.  Let people know where you are going when you’re out and about.

Drive safely

Bigger roads are more likely to have been gritted, so divert for your journey if possible to make use of these roads.  It stands to reason that you should never drive too fast when the roads are covered in snow, and keep a safe distance from the vehicle in front of you.  Don’t rely on your brakes, as they might let you down if the surface is icy.  Stay in a high gear that will give you better control of your vehicle and keep to a low speed when descending down a hill.

By Ben Frisby . You can find Ben on Google + for more information.

The post Driving In Snow appeared first on Dzhingarov

If you know that your region will experience a fair amount of snow and ice during the winter you should consider fitting winter tires to your vehicle. These are made from a much harder compound than standard tires and have a tread pattern that stops snow from clogging up your wheels, giving you much more traction than standard tires.

Reducing your speed is an obvious thing to say but you also need to make sure that you retain enough speed to give your car enough momentum to get up any gradients in the road. Try and find a speed that you feel comfortable with and don’t stop unless you have to as you may find it very difficult to get started again.

If you feel your vehicle starts to slide or skid, which happens all too easily when driving in the snow and ice, you need to very gently turn your steering wheel in the direction that you want to go and not into the skid as you may have thought. Also make sure that you keep your foot well away from the brake pedal to start with. Once the vehicle has started to turn in the correct direction, if you feel that you are still going too fast, apply some very gentle pressure to the brake pedal making sure to ‘feather’ it so you don’t put the vehicle into another skid.

Carrying snow chains in your vehicle is a great idea because they will help get you out of sticky situations. However you need to make sure that you actually know how to fit the chains quickly and easily as it will be cold when you need them and you want to spend the least amount of time in the elements as possible. You should also carry a tarpaulin in your car to kneel on when you have to fit the chains as your legs will soon get cold and wet, which will quickly lower your body temperature.

Carrying a shovel and some cat litter or sand is a good idea if you are taking a long journey in the snow. The shovel will help you free your wheels if they get bogged down in the snow and spreading some sand or cat litter will help your vehicle achieve much better traction and get you on your way a little quicker.

Make sure that you keep an eye on any vehicles in front or behind you so that you are not taken by surprise if they get into trouble and can get out of the way if they do. Keep your windows clear of snow and clean, even if this means that you have to pull over in a safe place every now and then to do it.

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