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Winter Driving Crash Course

Winter brings a whole new set of challenges when it comes to driving safety.  Let’s take a moment to review some extra precautions we should take when driving in the winter season, and some tips for prepping your vehicle to hold its own in the icy, snowy conditions.

There are a few things to look out for while on the road in snowy conditions.  Know what to do when your vehicle encounters ice, as it may vary vehicle to vehicle.  If you see cars swerving in front of you, slow down and consider an alternative route, if possible.  When on the highway in low visibility situations, leave twice as much room as normal between you and the driver ahead of you and make sure to not exceed the speed limit.

To prep your vehicle for the winter ahead, do a scan of the following key areas to make sure you won’t be left in the cold.  Tires loose air pressure in the cold, so double check your levels and check back often to ensure your tires are properly filled.  Double check your wiper blades, if they produce streaks or leave large areas unclean, consider a replacement for winter.  Speaking of visibility, give your defroster a test run.  If it is not working properly take it to a shop for repair, as this is one of the most commonly used features during the cold months to ensure visibility. Lastly, top off all fluids. It is likely you will use quite a bit more windshield washer fluid due to the salt on the roads and snowy weather.

If your vehicle is in need of repair to make it safe to drive in the winter, search on Carwise to find a body shop near you.