Make Your Holiday Safe with These Winter Driving Tips

If you’re headed over the river and through the woods to visit your grandmother’s house this holiday season, it’s a good idea to prepare your car – and yourself – for snowy or icy weather on your travels.

Last year, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimated that more than 42,000 people died in traffic crashes in 2022.

At Ficosa, we pride ourselves on using our innovative team to develop products that make driving safer for all our clients and the drivers who use their vehicles.

But there will always be weather conditions that can be a challenge as you and your family travel the country’s roadways this winter.

Preparing Your Automobile

In addition to your regular maintenance, here are some ways to prepare your vehicle for winter driving:

• Test your battery. Battery power drops as the temperature drops, so make sure your battery will be able to withstand colder weather.
• Check your tires. If you are driving in areas of the country that see a lot of snow and ice, you should probably invest in some snow tires. However, if you’re driving in warmer climates, you can keep your all-season tires, but do make sure they are properly inflated and that the tread is at least 2/32 of an inch thick.
• Check your wipers and wiper fluid. If your wipers show signs of wear, make sure you change them out before hitting the road. You should also use wiper fluid that is rated to remain fluid during colder weather.
• Clean your vehicle’s cameras, windows and mirrors. Ensuring that you are able to clearly see obstacles on the road is a must. Make sure there aren’t smudges or debris clouding your view.
• Keep the gas tank at least half full. By keeping the tank more than half full, you reduce the chances that the gas line will freeze.

Prepping Yourself

In addition to getting your automobile ready for winter driving, make sure you are also prepared to handle worsening conditions.

• Plan your route. Know where you are going, how to get there and where you can easily find emergency exits. Most people have access to a GPS these days. Be sure to use it.
• Get plenty of rest. Never start a road trip tired. This is a good idea in both good and inclement weather.
• Prepare an emergency kit. Make sure you have food, water, blankets and a mobile phone you can use to call for help.

Avoiding a Crash

Finally, make sure you follow these tips to avoid a crash.

• Avoid using cruise control in ice and snow. You need to be able to react quickly to changing road conditions.
• Steer in the direction of a skid. If you begin to slide, steer in the direction of your skid so that you won’t have to overcorrect to avoid a wreck.
• Don’t follow too closely. Keep a distance of about eight to 10 seconds from the car in front of you.

The winter holidays should be a time of fun, festivities and family. So, make sure you get to your destination safely by following these tips.