The winter season is upon us, and with it comes the perils of driving in the snow. While Puyallup is a pretty warm refuge from those winter storms, we all need to venture out into the cold at some point. When we do get out, its important to take every precaution we can to avoid smashing our vehicles, and more importantly, injuring ourselves or someone else. Below you will find a few safety tips for driving in the snow, you can use to have an accident-free, winter season.
There are certain things that can be done to prepare yourself for winter driving. One of the first things you should do is check the tread depth on your tires. You should have at least 6/32-inch deep tread on all four tires; if not, it is time to replace them. If there is a heavy storm, you dont want to have to worry about where your car will go when you turn the wheel. New tires can seem expensive, especially during the holiday season, but they are much less costly than replacing the front end of your car after sliding into an embankment.
You can prepare yourself and your car for winter, but there are still situations that are out of your control. The best thing to do is simply slow down and take your time. We get so caught up in our daily grind, and need to cram as much as possible into our days, that it makes it easy to forget about driving conditions. Speeding around in icy conditions puts everyone around us in peril. If we plan ahead, and give ourselves a little extra time, we can avoid putting ourselves or anyone else in danger.
In addition to slowing down, you want to be sure to give yourself plenty of time to stop. The recommended distance is three car lengths between you, and the car in front of you. This will prevent you from stomping your brakes when the driver in front of you stops unexpectedly. While locking the breaks is often a natural reaction, it is NOT what you want to do in low traction situations. This is because doing so can cause you to skid out of control. The best thing to do is lightly tap on your brake. If your wheels lock up, then ease of the brake and try gently tapping again. Ease pressure on the breaks in order to reduce speed gradually, but steadily. This will prevent the tires from losing traction and, given enough distance, will allow you to come to a safe stop.
Many of us will find ourselves getting stuck in the snow at some point this winter. When this happens, dont punch the gas pedal in hopes of climbing out. More often than not, this strategy will end up digging you deeper and making it harder to get out. Instead, turn your wheels from side to side in an effort to clear snow from around the tires. Push on the gas lightly; Try reversing, and then moving forward. If you still find yourself stuck, you might have to get out and clear snow away from the wheels and the underside of the car. For this reason we recommend keeping a small, collapsible shovel in your trunk; it will come in handy for situations like this and the occasional, car-burying blizzard.
We hope that everyone can stay safe during this winter season. A little caution and preparation will do a lot to protect you and everyone around you. Simple things like leaving your apartment just thirty minutes earlier than usual, and taking your time as you drive, can greatly reduce your chances of getting into an accident. Stay safe out there! Winter Driving Tips in Puyallup
The winter season is upon us, and with it comes the perils of driving in the snow. While Puyallup is a pretty warm refuge from those winter storms, we all need to venture out into the cold at some point. When we do get out, its important to take every precaution we can to avoid smashing our vehicles, and more importantly, injuring ourselves or someone else. Below you will find a few safety tips for driving in the snow, you can use to have an accident-free, winter season.
There are certain things that can be done to prepare yourself for winter driving. One of the first things you should do is check the tread depth on your tires. You should have at least 6/32-inch deep tread on all four tires; if not, it is time to replace them. If there is a heavy storm, you dont want to have to worry about where your car will go when you turn the wheel. New tires can seem expensive, especially during the holiday season, but they are much less costly than replacing the front end of your car after sliding into an embankment.
You can prepare yourself and your car for winter, but there are still situations that are out of your control. The best thing to do is simply slow down and take your time. We get so caught up in our daily grind, and need to cram as much as possible into our days, that it makes it easy to forget about driving conditions. Speeding around in icy conditions puts everyone around us in peril. If we plan ahead, and give ourselves a little extra time, we can avoid putting ourselves or anyone else in danger.
In addition to slowing down, you want to be sure to give yourself plenty of time to stop. The recommended distance is three car lengths between you, and the car in front of you. This will prevent you from stomping your brakes when the driver in front of you stops unexpectedly. While locking the breaks is often a natural reaction, it is NOT what you want to do in low traction situations. This is because doing so can cause you to skid out of control. The best thing to do is lightly tap on your brake. If your wheels lock up, then ease of the brake and try gently tapping again. Ease pressure on the breaks in order to reduce speed gradually, but steadily. This will prevent the tires from losing traction and, given enough distance, will allow you to come to a safe stop.
Many of us will find ourselves getting stuck in the snow at some point this winter. When this happens, dont punch the gas pedal in hopes of climbing out. More often than not, this strategy will end up digging you deeper and making it harder to get out. Instead, turn your wheels from side to side in an effort to clear snow from around the tires. Push on the gas lightly; Try reversing, and then moving forward. If you still find yourself stuck, you might have to get out and clear snow away from the wheels and the underside of the car. For this reason we recommend keeping a small, collapsible shovel in your trunk; it will come in handy for situations like this and the occasional, car-burying blizzard.
We hope that everyone can stay safe during this winter season. A little caution and preparation will do a lot to protect you and everyone around you. Simple things like leaving your apartment just thirty minutes earlier than usual, and taking your time as you drive, can greatly reduce your chances of getting into an accident. Stay safe out there!