Winter Driving 101, Time To Gear Up!

Unless you live in California, Florida or the desert you're going to be seeing some flurries pretty soon. In fact, in the greater New York area we've seen our first dusting. And, if you life in Buffalo you've already been socked by now.

So if you've been too lazy to give your car the once over, now would be the right time. Thanks to our friends at Consumer Reports, they have outlined some basic, 101-type precautions every driver should take before hitting winter's rough roads.

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Some key items to keep in mind:

• Clear off the snow and ice before driving.
• Accelerate slowly to reduce wheel spin.
• Reduce your speed and drive smoothly.
• Allow longer braking distances.
• Don't lock your wheels when braking.
• Perform one action at a time when accelerating, braking, and turning.
• Avoid sudden actions when cornering. Be ready to correct for a slide. Don't let four- or all-wheel drive give you a false sense of security.
• Be extra wary of other motorists.

[Source: Consumer Reports]


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monster - 12/16/2010 8:08:53 AM

+1 Boost

Excellent tips. I would like to add 1 more. Slow down before making turns

Steve - 12/16/2010 8:49:12 AM

+1 Boost

Tip No.0 (comes before Tip No.1): Get good quality, relatively narrow profile snow tires on all four corners. All-season tires don't cut it in the serious white stuff.

monster - 12/16/2010 10:07:30 AM

+1 Boost

You can have the best of everything but if you don't know how to drive in snow then it will be all useless.

I agree with you that having snow tires do help. I am just mentioning the basics of driving in snow. I do see a lot of SUVs in the gutters where I live during the snow seasons.

Whelan - 12/16/2010 10:46:32 AM

+1 Boost

I am more amazed that every year when we get our first weather patterns blowing in, it seems people forget how to drive in adverse conditions. Do they literally just ignore the dangers? It boggles my mind that they drive around like nothing is happening and pay no mind. It can't be that hard to remember.

thstone - 12/16/2010 3:01:00 PM

+1 Boost

I live in LA. It was 75F and sunny last weekend and I spent it driving around with the top of my Boxster down. Today its supposed to "cool down" to the mid-60's. I'll still keep the top down but I might have to put a sweater on.

Have a nice winter.

LauderdaleDriver - 12/17/2010 9:44:54 AM

+1 Boost

Yes, but you borrow your friend's SUV for the ski trips, and leave the fun car at home.

Never owned a set of snow tires.