Driving a car in winter conditions requires more attention and poses special challenges for people and vehicles. In order to be on the road safely, you should pay attention to a few points.
Before going out on the road
- Ensure that your winter tires have sufficient tread pattern. The absolute lower limit is 2/32 inch.
- Check your vehicle for frost protection, oil, coolant, and brake fluid. Check the car battery and lights.
- Before you leave, carefully remove the snow from your car – including the roof, hood, and rear section – so that you do not endanger the following traffic.
- Make sure you have a clear view. Use a hand brush and ice scraper to remove snow and ice from all windows and do not forget the exterior mirrors. A “peephole” alone is not enough.
- Start earlier than usual if the weather conditions deteriorate. So you have enough time buffer for unforeseen events.
On the highway in snow and ice
- Be sure to adjust your speed and get off the gas. When there are snow and ice on the road, the driving conditions change massively: the braking distance becomes longer and the grip of your tires decreases.
- Increase the distance to the vehicle in front of you.
- The braking distance in snow and ice on the road increases many times over. While your vehicle needs around 180 feet to brake on dry roads and at a speed of 60 mph, it needs around 600 feet on snow and even 1800 feet on ice.
- Avoid abrupt steering, driving and braking maneuvers.
- Steer and brake with foresight and feeling.
This equipment should not be missing in any car in winter.
Tow Rope
Ice scraper
Hand brush
Gloves
Jumper cables
Windscreen antifreeze
Snow chains
woolen blanket
Microfiber cloth for the inner panes