Driving In The Snow

First of all if you have an attached garage to your house don't ever warm up your car in the garage or even half way out of the garage. This technique does not work to try to keep exhaust and harmful carbon monoxide from building up and making it's way into your house because you never know how many directions the air outside is moving. Pull your car completely out of the garage and shut it.

For those of us with no garage take the time to clean your vehicle off, don't just jump in start it up and go. Your headlights are not going to melt the snow, your engine is not going to heat up your hood and make the snow slide off when it's really cold, your tailights probably will not be seen through the snow you did not remove by the person sliding up behind you, and if you only cleaned enough of your windsheild and rear window to see while you wait for your defrost to melt the rest as you're driving you might not see a hazard coming toward you. I don't know about you, but I ALWAYS want a 360 degree view! So please take the time to completely clean off your vehicle before starting your trip.

One of the best things you can do when driving in the snow is to look ahead down the road for anything that may cause uncertain or hazardous road conditions and quickly prepare for them. From traffic to debris to the type of snow or ice on the road are all things you must pay attention to. Drive safe and slow down way before you need to actually stop. If you are rolling on solid ice slowing down will help you prevent rolling past your stopping point into an intersection and getting in a serious accident. Use common sense and remember other drivers are travelling on ice also and can't stop any better than you can.

Don't be in a rush driving in the snow, there's nothing to prove even if you are driving in four-wheel drive. Take your time because there is no traction for any kind of drive (FWD, AWD, 4WD, RWD) when you start sliding and spinning out of control and ending up in a ditch or running into another vehicle. Slow down and be responsible in the snow you will have a much better day.