With the temperatures in single digits, short days and blustery snowfronts moving across Akron, it’s an excellent time to make sure you — and your vehicle — are ready for another rough Northeast Ohio winter.
Having your vehicle properly prepared for the season can be the difference between getting home in poor driving conditions or being stranded in the cold. Being able to adapt to accidents or emergencies is critical in winter weather.
There’s plenty you can do to be prepared in case of an emergency — here’s a round-up of advice from safety experts.
Tires first – always
Winter tires will always be beneficial when dealing with lake effect snow and poor road conditions. Even if you can’t afford new tires, you can make sure that your tires are filled to manufacturer specifications, because cold weather will cause them to under-inflate.
Visibility can be the difference between an accident and a close call
New vehicles have a bevy of safety features, including cameras and sensors meant to help you avoid accidents. Make sure these cameras and sensors aren’t covered in snow or salt so they remain useful.
Similarly, make sure all your exterior lights (headlights, turn signals, brakes, etc.) are in working order. And when the snow is flying, even during daylight hours, drive with your headlights turned on.
Check on oils, fluids and other critical components
We know how hard the cold can be on our bodies, and it can take the same toll on our vehicles.
At the start of winter, it’s not a bad idea to get an oil change and make sure your coolant/antifreeze is at the right level. You can also purchase winter-specific windshield wiper fluid and blades to make sure you can see in the worst conditions.
You should also make sure your battery is in good health, because cold weather can push an aging battery over the edge. It’s also not a bad idea to have a battery jump pack charged and in your vehicle in case it decides not to start in bitter cold.
Also, if you’re from here, you know a 30-minute commute can turn into a two-hour crawl when conditions really get bad. That’s why it’s a good idea to always keep at least a half tank of gas in your vehicle. No one wants to have to walk through the snow on the side of the road if a car runs out of gas.
Keep a winter emergency kit in your vehicle in case you get stranded
If an emergency strikes and your car dies, or you have to walk somewhere in a pinch, you’ll be glad you planned ahead with a winter emergency kit.
Here’s a list of extra clothing items you should keep in your vehicle:
- An extra coat
- A blanket
- Winter boots
- Gloves
- Extra layers of clothing
Finally, having emergency assistance items in your vehicle can help you keep a bad situation from becoming worse if you’re stranded.
An emergency kit should include items such as:
- Fully charged cell phone
- First aid kit
- Jumper cables
- Flares, reflective triangles or road cones
- Foldable shovel
- Sand/salt/gravel/kitty litter
- Ice scraper and snow brush
- Extra washer fluid
- Flashlight
- Non-perishable items such as water and energy bars
Before each trip, note who is in your vehicle most often, what they may need, and consider adding more items if you are traveling long distances.
Driving in snow and ice
The first rule of thumb is to slow down. Don’t use cruise control when driving on any slippery surface such as ice and snow.
Keep an eye on Ohio road conditions via the Ohio Department of Transportation’s OHGO website, which provides real-time traffic updates across the state.
AAA offers these driving tips when driving in the snow and ice:
- Stay home and avoid unnecessary trips even if you’re confident in your winter driving abilities.
- Drive slowly and adjust your speed to account for reduced traction on snow or ice.
- Accelerate and decelerate slowly to regain traction and avoid skids. Take your time in general — slow down for stoplights. Remember that it takes longer to slow down or stop on icy roads.
- Increase your following distance to five to six seconds to provide the longer distance needed if you have to stop.
- Know your brakes. Whether you have antilock brakes or not, keep the heel of your foot on the floor and use the ball of your foot to apply firm, steady pressure on the brake pedal.
- Don’t stop if you can avoid it. It takes more effort, and fuel, to start moving from a full stop compared to how much it takes to get moving while still rolling. If you can slow down enough to keep rolling until a traffic light changes, do it.
- Don’t power up hills. Applying extra gas on snow-covered roads will just make your wheels spin. Build a little inertia before you reach a hill, then let it carry you to the top. As you reach the crest of the hill, slow down and proceed downhill slowly.
- Don’t stop going up a hill. There’s nothing worse than trying to get moving up a hill on an icy road.
Resources for more information:
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration winter driving tips
AAA winter driving tips
National Safety Council winter driving preparedness tips
The Ohio Department of Public Safety