Make sure your car is ready for winter: You'll need to check your tires so that you're running (at least) all-season tires. Make sure your washer-fluid can handle our bitterly cold temperatures. You'll definitely want a brush and ice scraper, and you'll probably want something to help you dig out if an unexpected blizzard comes up. Don't forget the plug-in for the block heater!
But that's not the only thing you'll need to get ready. Are YOU ready to face winter? Are you ready to drive safely through the ice and sleet and snow? Here are some winter driving tips to keep in mind:
- Slow down. Yes, we write this a lot… but we're serious about it. Drive slower than you do in the summer. Give yourself plenty of time to get where you need to go.
- Brush off the car before you get in. Scrape the windows in their entirety. Don't forget to brush off your brake lights and your front and back signal lights.
- When snow drifts banks build up on the side of the road, edge out carefully and slowly.
- Don't follow too closely because stopping distance is very, very long (and particularly icy near intersections).
- Remember that snow and ice can hinder your ability to steer. You may desire to steer in one direction but momentum and ice will take you in another direction.
- Refresh your skills to handle what happens when you skid on the ice.
- Let your car warm up a little before you start to drive, just to make sure that it is responsive to you (in case you need to steer defensively).
- Don't drive in bad weather. If the weather gets bad, stay off the roads. (Remember: YOU might be the best driver out there but there are millions of others who aren't… and they can all skid into your car).
- If your car is starting to frost up, pull over and let it defrost before you keep driving.
- Keep an eye out for animals. Just because some of them are hibernating doesn't mean that they all are.
- People are harder to see in the winter (they might leap out from behind a snow bank, for example) and when they are all bound up with toques and scarves, they might not hear your car approaching.
The message here shouldn't be a surprise – Be Cautious! Drive carefully and watchfully and sensibly.
If you get into a collision this winter, get your car over to one of our auto body repair centres. We'll take good care of your car and get it fixed up and back to you in no time at all.
