No matter how seasoned a driver you are, it always helps to get a reminder about the best winter driving practices each year. If you’ve just moved to an area where harsh winter weather is an ongoing concern for drivers, you shouldn’t take the dangers lightly.
The best defence against the dangers of winter driving is learning as much as possible about driving safely in the cold before you get behind the wheel.
Winterizing Your Vehicle
Preparing your vehicle for winter driving isn’t just a good defence but an essential one. Before you hit the road in the winter, be sure that you’ve equipped your vehicle with
- All-weather or Winter Tires
- Check Your Antifreeze and Ensure a Proper Ratio
- Have Your Vehicle Serviced for Winter Driving
- Replace an Old or Faulty Battery
- Winter Wipers
- A Window Scraper and Snow Brush
- Extra Antifreeze
- Car Tool Kit
- Jumper Cables
You’ll also want to remember to continually monitor your tire pressure, which can change faster in the winter.
Watch the Weather Report
We all know that the weather can change quickly, no matter where you live. In the case of winter weather, the onset of a sudden storm occurs all too often.
While you can never be sure that the weather report will match the driving conditions you experience exactly, it can help you make a better decision – particularly when it comes to driving long distances in the winter. In particular, you’ll want to watch for snowfall, accumulation of ice, freezing rain and sudden temperature changes.
Drive a Reliable Vehicle
When it comes to winter driving, all vehicles are not created alike. Usually, larger, heavier vehicles like SUVs or pickup trucks are going to be more stable on the road than light cars.
If you’ve recently moved to a colder location, like central Canada, and you’re looking for a good option for winter driving, you can find new Ram 1500 trucks at a dealership near your home.
Create a Winter Safety Kit
In case of emergencies, you should keep a winter driving safety kit in your vehicle at all times. Some of the items you’ll want to include in your kit include:
- Extra Warm Clothing
- Road Flares
- Kitty Litter or Sand for Extra Tire Traction
- A Snow Shovel
- Flashlight and Batteries
- A First Aid Kit
- Matches
- Non-perishable Food and Water
- An Extra Cell Phone
Take a Winter Driving Safety Course
If you’ve never had to deal with winter driving in the past and expect to live in a city with harsh winter conditions for an entire season, it is worth the time to take a winter driving safety course. Winter driving conditions are unlike any other, and becoming adept at driving safely in the snow and ice takes practice.
Rather than get that practice by getting into an accident, you can take lessons from a driving instructor to learn how to give other cars more space, when to drive slower, and how to simulate antilock brakes by pumping your foot.
If you’re looking for an excellent vehicle for winter driving, talk to a local dealer about getting a solid and stable Ram 1500 truck.