10 Tips for Driving in Winter Weather 

Although the meteorological calendar has determined that spring has indeed sprung –we live in New England — and it’s cold! We know that this time of year often brings about frigid temperatures, heaps of snow, and slippery ice but driving in these conditions can often bring about it’s own headache. Here at Authentic Auto Body we care about the safety and wellbeing of each and every one of our customers and we want you to feel comfortable getting from point A to point B, even if the flakes are flying.

1. Stay Home

If you can, stay off the roads. Only travel in poor weather conditions such as snow and sleet if it is completely necessary. Not only are you ensuring safety but you are clearing the roads for salt and plow trucks to do their jobs.

2. Remove All Ice and Snow from your Vehicle

Before going anywhere make sure that your car is cleared of any ice and snow. Remove ice and snow from any place where it could obstruct your view such as windows and mirrors, and also remember to remove it from the roof and hood of the vehicle where it could fly off and become a hazard for other drivers.

3. Clear Your Exhaust Pipe

Remove any ice or snow that is blocking or covering your exhaust pipe. A blocked exhaust pipe can cause carbon monoxide gas to leak into the vehicle while the engine is running, a very dangerous situation.

4. Increase your Following Distance

Increase your following distance from three seconds to eight or ten seconds. Make sure to leave enough space between you and the car in front of you to allot for any stopping or sliding.

5. Slow Down!

The speed limit is the LIMIT for how fast you should be driving under perfect weather conditions, when there is snow, ice, sleet, or even rain you should always watch your speed due to your tires having less traction.

6. Accelerate and Decelerate Slowly

Step on the gas slowly, give your car time to try and regain its traction to the road, it is harder when there is ice and snow on the roads. Make sure to also give yourself plenty of time to stop; pay attention to upcoming stoplights, stop signs, and stopped/stopping vehicles.

7. Steer in the Direction of a Skid

In the event that you do skid, always steer in the direction of the skid, that way when your wheels regain their traction you won’t be forced to oversteer your car to stay in your lane and you will be more evened out.

8. Avoid Using Cruise Control

While at some points the roads may look clear, you never know what roads are unplowed ahead. When switching out of cruise control it is easy for your car to lose traction because your car’s system is going to need a moment to react.

9. Know How to Break

Whether you have anti-lock brakes or not always keep the heel of your foot on the ground and use the ball of your foot to firmly and steadily press down on the brake pedal.

10. Do Not Stop Going Up a Hill

When you stop on a hill trying to get your car going again is nearly impossible. Try to get enough inertia for your car on a straightaway, flat road before you reach the hill so that you can just coast over it.