7 Winter Driving Safety Tips
Apparently, the days of a mild winter at the Lake of the Ozarks are over. Spring is just around the corner, but we've been getting hit hard lately with lots of snow flurries and extremely low temperatures. With more snow in the forecast, the team at Hulett Chevrolet-Buick-GMC wanted to share with you some safety tips for driving in hazardous winter conditions.
If you have to be on the roads the next time it snows, keep yourself and other drivers safe by remembering these important winter weather tips!
1. Travel Slowly
Your vehicle will have limited traction on slippery roads, so accelerating, decelerating, and turning can not happen as quickly. Reduce your speed when traveling in winter weather so you will have better control over your vehicle.
2. Do NOT Use Cruise Control
Cruise control is great for long trips with even driving conditions. When you're dealing with potentially slippery roads, however, cruise control can be extremely dangerous. When the cruise control is engaged, your vehicle accelerates or decelerates automatically in order to bring your vehicle to the designated speed - and it is not paying attention to hazardous conditions. If you know there is a potential for slick roads, disengage the cruise control so you will have better control over your vehicle.
3. Maintain Safe Distances
Typically, safety experts say to leave one car length for every ten miles/hr you're driving. That is, if you're traveling at 60 mph, you should leave the equivalent of six car lengths between you and the vehicle in front of you. When you're driving in winter weather, though, you should double, triple, or even quadruple that distance. Braking quickly on slippery roads can cause your vehicle to lose traction, so you want to give yourself plenty of room to decelerate slowly.
4. Do NOT Accelerate Up Hills
Accelerating quickly on slick roads can cause your wheels to spin out, which will cause your vehicle to lose traction and you to lose control of your vehicle. If you have to travel uphill, you will be better off accelerating while you're still on level ground and then letting the momentum carry you up the hill. If you do have to put your foot on the gas while going uphill, do it sooner than later so you can accelerate slowly.
5. Do NOT Slam On The Breaks
If you feel your vehicle start to slide, your first instinct will probably be to slow down - as quickly as possible. Unfortunately, quickly slamming on the breaks can cause your vehicle to lose all traction when traveling in the snow. If you feel your vehicle starting to skid, turn gently into it. That is, if your back tires spin out to the left, you should turn your steering wheel to the left. Take your feet off the gas and the break until you have regained control of your vehicle.
6. Be Prepared
Unfortunately, accidents due to snowy and/or icy conditions are incredibly common. When winter weather is in the forecast, it's a good idea to keep your tank full of gas and keep your car stocked with blankets, non-perishable snacks, water, cell phone charger, an ice scraper, and possibly even a small snow shovel. It would also be wise to check your tires and make sure their tread is at least 4.8 millimeters deep. If your tires are worn and you need new ones, make an appointment with the service department at Hulett Chevrolet-Buick-GMC to get your next set of all-weather tires!
7. Remember: Four-Wheel Drive Does Not Make You Invincible
Vehicles with four-wheel drive do tend to do better in snowy road conditions, but they can still lose traction and slide if the drivers are not careful. The next time it snows while you're driving a vehicle with four-wheel drive, remember to still exercise caution.
Be Safe!
We can't wait for spring to get here! In the meantime, your friends at the best car dealership at the Lake of the Ozarks hope you stay safe on the roads. If you need a new car to get you through what's left of this winter, come by and see us! We would love to help you.
The Team at Hulett Chevrolet Buick GMC
513 N. Business Route 5
Camdenton, MO 65020
www.ShopHulett.com
Sales: 573.317.4197
Service: 573.317.4195
If you have to be on the roads the next time it snows, keep yourself and other drivers safe by remembering these important winter weather tips!
1. Travel Slowly
Your vehicle will have limited traction on slippery roads, so accelerating, decelerating, and turning can not happen as quickly. Reduce your speed when traveling in winter weather so you will have better control over your vehicle.
2. Do NOT Use Cruise Control
Cruise control is great for long trips with even driving conditions. When you're dealing with potentially slippery roads, however, cruise control can be extremely dangerous. When the cruise control is engaged, your vehicle accelerates or decelerates automatically in order to bring your vehicle to the designated speed - and it is not paying attention to hazardous conditions. If you know there is a potential for slick roads, disengage the cruise control so you will have better control over your vehicle.
3. Maintain Safe Distances
Typically, safety experts say to leave one car length for every ten miles/hr you're driving. That is, if you're traveling at 60 mph, you should leave the equivalent of six car lengths between you and the vehicle in front of you. When you're driving in winter weather, though, you should double, triple, or even quadruple that distance. Braking quickly on slippery roads can cause your vehicle to lose traction, so you want to give yourself plenty of room to decelerate slowly.
4. Do NOT Accelerate Up Hills
Accelerating quickly on slick roads can cause your wheels to spin out, which will cause your vehicle to lose traction and you to lose control of your vehicle. If you have to travel uphill, you will be better off accelerating while you're still on level ground and then letting the momentum carry you up the hill. If you do have to put your foot on the gas while going uphill, do it sooner than later so you can accelerate slowly.
5. Do NOT Slam On The Breaks
If you feel your vehicle start to slide, your first instinct will probably be to slow down - as quickly as possible. Unfortunately, quickly slamming on the breaks can cause your vehicle to lose all traction when traveling in the snow. If you feel your vehicle starting to skid, turn gently into it. That is, if your back tires spin out to the left, you should turn your steering wheel to the left. Take your feet off the gas and the break until you have regained control of your vehicle.
6. Be Prepared
Unfortunately, accidents due to snowy and/or icy conditions are incredibly common. When winter weather is in the forecast, it's a good idea to keep your tank full of gas and keep your car stocked with blankets, non-perishable snacks, water, cell phone charger, an ice scraper, and possibly even a small snow shovel. It would also be wise to check your tires and make sure their tread is at least 4.8 millimeters deep. If your tires are worn and you need new ones, make an appointment with the service department at Hulett Chevrolet-Buick-GMC to get your next set of all-weather tires!
7. Remember: Four-Wheel Drive Does Not Make You Invincible
Vehicles with four-wheel drive do tend to do better in snowy road conditions, but they can still lose traction and slide if the drivers are not careful. The next time it snows while you're driving a vehicle with four-wheel drive, remember to still exercise caution.
Be Safe!
We can't wait for spring to get here! In the meantime, your friends at the best car dealership at the Lake of the Ozarks hope you stay safe on the roads. If you need a new car to get you through what's left of this winter, come by and see us! We would love to help you.
The Team at Hulett Chevrolet Buick GMC513 N. Business Route 5
Camdenton, MO 65020
www.ShopHulett.com
Sales: 573.317.4197
Service: 573.317.4195
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