Page 13 - AAA Schuylkill County – AAA Now! – January/February 2016

AUTOMOTIVE SERVICES
Winter Driving: Get to Your Destination Safely
Winter driving conditions can be tough on
both motorists and vehicles. For starters, there
are fewer daylight hours and a greater chance of encountering rainy or foggy weather. And if you live in northern portions of the United States or visit the mountains, you’ll probably have to deal with snow, ice, and slush.
All these things can make driving more stressful and can also increase your risk of a crash, especially if you haven’t kept up the maintenance on your
car or prepped it properly for winter weather. In 2011, for example, over 1,500 people were killed and more than 167,000 were injured nationwide in crashes involving rain, snow, and fog, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). To help you and your car make it safely through winter weather, the AAA’s Automotive Research Center (ARC) advises you that you take extra precautions and follow these cold-weather driving and car-care tips.
Stay in the Know – Before you hit the road, check radio, TV and online weather reports so you can avoid traffic congestion and crashes. Continue to monitor radio traffic reports while in your car. Sirius/XM satellite radio offers 24-hour traffic
and weather updates for many U.S. Metropolitan regions.
Charge! – Cold weather is tough on batteries. At 0o F, for instance, a car's battery loses about 60 percent of its strength. Even at 32o F, it is
35 percent weaker than normal. Before winter, have a qualified automotive technician perform a load test on your battery to make sure it's strong enough for winter starts.
Get a grip – Be sure your car’s tires can handle the winter weather in your region. First, check that the tread is deep enough (1/16th-inch minimum); sufficient tread depth allows water to escape
and improves traction. Next, be sure to keep tires
at proper pressure. You’ll find a chart with the manufacturer’s recommended inflation pressure on the driver-side door jamb, inside the glove box or on the fuel-filler flap.
Most motorists in temperate parts of the nation can get through the winter just fine on all-season tires.
In northern or mountainous regions, however, you might need to switch to snow tires, possibly on all four wheels. Also, be aware of storm-watch advisories requiring vehicles to have snow chains, or you’ll risk being turned around by law enforcement, getting stuck in the snow or becoming involved in a crash.
See and be seen – To paraphrase an old saying, what you don’t know – or can’t see – can hurt you. Driving with a snow-covered or fogged-up windshield, windows, side-view mirrors or lights invites a crash. Use an ice scraper, brush, or spray deicer to clear snow-covered windows, mirrors, and lights.
Make certain, too, that your windshield wipers
and defroster are in good working order and that the windshield-washer reservoir is filled with nonfreezing washer fluid. When visibility is bad, turn on your headlights to make sure you can see other cars – and they can see you. Make sure your headlights and taillights are working and that their lenses are clean. Many state laws require that you turn on your headlights whenever you are using your windshield wipers.
Keep your engine cool – Make sure the antifreeze in your car’s cooling system is mixed with an equal portion of water for maximum protection against freezing and overheating.
Key solution – If your door locks are frozen, you can open them by carefully heating the end of your car key with a match or lighter, or by applying a squirt of deicer spray to the lock assembly. To prevent damage, keys that contain electronics in the grip should not be heated.
Slippery when wet – In temperatures around
32o F, a thin layer of water can cover ice on the road, making it even more slippery. For example, the distance needed to stop on ice at 32o F is twice as long as it is at 0o F. So slow down and use extra caution when passing other vehicles in icy conditions.
Steer Clear – If you’re going 25 mph or faster on
a wet or icy road, steer around an object on the road to avoid hitting it rather than braking hard.
On a slippery surface it takes less distance to steer around an object than to brake to a stop. And because sudden braking in bad weather often leads to skids, increase the following distance between you and the cars in front of you – the extra distance provides a buffer in case you lose control of your vehicle.
Finish up – Road salt, slush and grime are especially hard on a car’s finish. To help prevent rust and paint damage, keep your car washed and waxed.
Traveling in winter can be dangerous, but by being prepared, performing proper vehicle maintenance and driving carefully you can minimize the risks and arrive safely at your destination.
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