Driving during the winter season is a much different experience than at any other time of the year. There are several precautionary steps you’ll want to take to ensure that you and your passengers arrive at your destinations safely and with confidence. See a few of them below.
Winter Driving Tips
Give yourself time
If the weather and roads are less than ideal, it’s a good idea to give yourself extra time. Moving slowly and carefully on highways, city streets, and backroads will allow you to keep a safe distance from the vehicle ahead of you and safely traverse through any accumulating precipitation.
By putting more space between you and the car ahead of you, you’ll give your vehicle more room to come to a stop, which it will need when the roads are slick.
Be proactive
With the weather capable of hindering your visibility and creating hazardous road conditions, being ready for anything while driving is of greater importance during the winter. When you’re behind the wheel of your car, truck, or SUV, it’s best to be seated upright with both hands on the wheel. In this position, you’ll be able to stay alert and proactive when faced with changing weather conditions and vehicles slowing down or making tough turns.
Know your car
Whether you’ve been driving for years or are new to winter driving, knowing how your vehicle handles in all kinds of weather is helpful. Regardless if you drive a sedan, SUV, or pickup truck, having the skills to handle the weather and knowledge of your vehicle’s strengths will make it a lot easier to arrive at your destination.
Apply gentle pressure
Using the accelerator and brake pedal gently will go a long way in keeping you moving forward. When the light turns green, steadily applying the gas pedal allows the tires to grip the road. Pressing the pedal down too quickly can cause the tires to spin out.
When you need to slow down, removing your foot from the gas pedal will help the vehicle decelerate naturally. You can also apply the brake slowly to help bring the car to a safe, controlled stop.
Get Ready for Winter Driving in Burlington, NC
Contact us at Stearns Ford to schedule a service appointment in Burlington, North Carolina. Our certified technicians are more than capable of preparing your vehicle for the winter weather.
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