Club Offers Winter Tips to Help Drivers Be Prepared and
Safe
Indianapolis, IN (Dec.
18, 2007) –
Because more crashes
involving property damage occur during the winter months
than at any other time, AAA Hoosier Motor Club encourages
motorists to prepare for adverse cold weather driving
conditions with three main steps—prepare your vehicle, plan
your journey in advance and be cautious while on the road.
Prepare Your Vehicle
First, make sure your
vehicle is prepared for winter driving. AAA offers the
following tips for motorists departing on winter road trips:
·
Have the
battery and charging system tested. A fully charged battery
in good condition is required to start an engine in cold
weather.
·
Have the
brakes checked to ensure they work properly and apply
smoothly, which helps prevent the wheels from locking on
slick surfaces.
·
Make sure the
tires are properly inflated. Under-inflated tires can be
dangerous, and may suffer damage. Remember, the air pressure
in your tires will decrease 1-2 psi for every 10 degree drop
in outside temperature.
·
Use the tire
size recommended by your vehicle’s manufacturer for best
snow traction. Overly wide tires tend to float on top of the
snow, reducing grip.
·
Make sure the
engine coolant provides anti-freeze protection down to the
lowest temperatures you are likely to encounter; -30oF/-34oC
is a good guideline.
·
Visibility is
critical in adverse weather conditions, so replace worn
windshield wipers that streak, and be sure the washer
reservoir is filled with a solvent that will not freeze.
·
Keep the gas
tank at least half full at all times to minimize
condensation buildup that can lead to gas line freeze-up. If
the fuel in your area does not already contain alcohol, use
a gas line “dryer” additive periodically to absorb moisture.
·
Carry a winter
driving kit for use in the event of an emergency. The kit
should include a small bag of abrasive material (sand, salt,
cat litter), a small snow shovel, a snow brush, traction
mats, a flashlight with new batteries, window washer
solvent, an ice scraper, a cloth or roll of paper towels,
jumper cables, a blanket, warning devices (flares or
triangles), drinking water and extra clothes.
·
Program your
radio for AM 530 or 1610 stations, as you may see signs
referencing those frequencies for important traffic
advisories.
·
Carry a
cellular phone and car charger. Program the phone with
important numbers including a reliable roadside service
provider such as AAA that will be able to assist you during
inclement weather.
You can visit a local,
reliable auto repair facility for assistance in preparing
your vehicle for winter driving. If you are not familiar
with facilities in your area or unsure of how to identify a
reliable facility, AAA Hoosier Motor Club can assist with a
listing of AAA Approved Auto Repair facilities that have met
and maintained high professional standards. A free listing
of AAA Approved Auto Repair facilities is available by
visiting the automotive page of AAA.com.
Plan Your Trip
If your plans include travel
out of the local area, plan ahead by getting up-to-date,
accurate maps and routing information in advance. Make sure
your maps include seasonal road closures and provide routing
information on main roads over secondary routes since
heavily traveled roads are more likely to be cleared or
treated first during storms. You can get the latest AAA maps
and a TripTik routing from your local AAA Hoosier Motor Club
office. Alternatively, you can create and print your own
routing using the TripTik Travel Planner on AAA.com.
Drive With Caution
When taking to the road
during winter weather, remember to drive with caution to
help maintain your safety as well as that of passengers,
fellow motorists and roadside workers. AAA Hoosier Motor
Club recommends the following tips for winter driving:
·
Before
starting out in snowy weather, take time to remove the snow
from the entire car so it doesn’t blow onto your windshield
or the windshields of other drivers. Make sure your mirrors
and lights are clean as well.
·
Drive with
your low-beam headlights illuminated.
·
When the roads
are icy, slow down and allow extra time to reach your
destination. Even better, delay your trip, stop early for
the day, or take an extended break from driving. Using an
online service such as the TripTik Travel Planner at AAA.com
can help you find restaurants and lodgings along your route.
·
Allow
sufficient room for maintenance vehicles and plows, stay at
least 15 car lengths (200 feet) back and, if you need to
pass, go to the other vehicle’s left.
·
Watch for icy
surfaces on bridges, even when roads seem to be in good
condition.
·
If you get
stuck in snow, straighten the wheel and accelerate slowly.
Add sand or cat litter under the drive wheels to help avoid
spinning the tires.
·
If your tires
lose traction, continue to look and steer in the direction
you want to go. If the drive wheels start to spin or slide
while going up a hill, ease off the accelerator slightly and
then gently resume speed.
·
Look farther
ahead in traffic. Actions by other drivers will alert you to
problems and give you extra seconds to react.
·
When changing
lanes, avoid cutting in front of trucks, which need more
time and distance than passenger vehicles to stop.
·
Don't use
cruise control in precipitation and freezing temperatures.
·
Remember that
four-wheel drive helps you to get going quicker, but it
won't help you stop any faster.
·
Apply
constant, firm pressure to the pedal with anti-lock brakes.
Use the resources of AAA to
be ready for the season. With preparation and knowledge,
winter travel can be as enjoyable as the crisp air. Visit
AAA.com for safe driving tips all year long.
AAA
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