With the cold snap definitely upon us, and the hard knuckle bandage winter approaching, here are some driving and maintenance tips to overcome the cold and icy conditions ahead. Winter is the season that requires the most care and preparation if you want to stay safe while driving your car.
Defrost your car
The first thing to do when you get to your car on a cold day is start the engine. Turn on the heat, turn on the front fans, and turn on the heated rear windshield.
Although every extra minute in bed is a luxury, on a cold morning you’re going to have to sacrifice a few quilt minutes to give your car time to warm up and defrost.
If you find that the lock has frozen, use a lighter to heat the key. Whatever you do, don’t breathe into the lock to try to defrost it, as the moisture will condense and freeze.
Never drive in your car like you are driving a tank with only a small hole cleared in the windshield to see through. You should clean all the windows in your car with a scraper and de-icer. Remove any traces of ice that have fallen on your hood or they could splash and obscure your vision once you are on the road. Never pour boiling water on your windshield or windows – it will likely refreeze as ice and may break glass.
Gently lift the wipers away from the windshield. If you have an automatic setting, make sure it is off because scraping the windshield could activate it.
Protect your car with antifreeze
If your car makes a continuous screeching noise as soon as you start, your water pump is probably frozen and the fan belt is slipping on its pulley as a result. Your car’s cylinder block could also freeze up. You should stop the car immediately and let it thaw – unfortunately this could take several days without the help of a heated garage.
If you’ve driven a few miles from home and your car starts to overheat, chances are your radiator has frozen and the coolant can no longer circulate freely. To avoid damaging your car, you must stop until the radiator is defrosted.
Antifreeze costs nothing compared to a cracked engine block. Protect Your Car Using A Few – Most modern cars use long-lasting antifreeze, but you should check your manual and never mix different types. The glycol-based antifreeze should be changed every two years. In winter, you need a 50-50 mixture of antifreeze and water in the cooling system for effective protection at temperatures as low as -34 ° Celsius.
Driving on icy roads
Starting in a higher gear: Select second gear and gently release your foot from the clutch to prevent the car’s wheels from skidding.
Smooth and quiet maneuvers are the secret to safe winter driving. You need time to think and react without sudden and erratic actions.
Stopping distances are 10 times longer on ice and snow than under normal circumstances. Keep your distance from the car in front. This is especially true before going up a hill, as it helps you avoid having to go down or stop.
Look ahead so you can recognize potential hazards early and have plenty of time to react.
Drive slowly, smoothly and steadily avoiding any sudden movements such as a sharp turn, panic braking, and furious acceleration. This is the best way to avoid skidding. If you are skidding on an icy road, calmly regain control of your car by slowing down and turning the wheel in the direction of the skid.
Use a low gear when going downhill to control your speed without braking. If you must use the brakes, apply them gently and release the brakes and disengage if your car slips.
Baby it’s cold outside
Just like you dress differently in winter, you should also drive differently. In the same way that you stay warm for the winter, your car needs a layer of antifreeze to keep it running. Drive safely this winter because it’s cold as ice outside.
