Car Safety and These Winter Driving Tips are Key for Navigating Indiana Roadways
Being a safe driver requires caution, carefully watching the roadway and vehicles around you, and taking care of your vehicle.
But when winter weather hits - think snow, ice, slush, and sleet - safely driving a used car takes on a whole new meaning.
Keep reading to learn how to care for your vehicle in colder temperatures and to get tips on winter driving and general car safety for the coming season.
Winter Maintenance Tips for Used Cars
Before driving your used car in winter, ensure certain maintenance and preparation tasks are complete. Refer to your car’s owner’s manual for complete details on maintenance timelines and requirements suggested by the manufacturer.
First, ensure your vehicle gets regular oil changes. If your vehicle uses regular motor oil, a pre-winter oil change ensures your car has a full tank of oil in the right viscosity for colder winter weather. Oil keeps all the parts in your car’s engine moving smoothly.
You may also want to get new windshield wipers and refill the wiper fluid tank with a formula designed to not freeze during low temperatures.
Antifreeze is especially important in winter. Learn more about how to check and refill your antifreeze as needed.
Consider getting snow tires. Most used cars for sale near you come with all-purpose tires, and although they’re appropriate for all seasons, winter tires improve car safety and performance on icy roads. If you don’t want to buy snow tires, ensure your all-purpose tires are in good condition, with plenty of tread left.
Finally, pack your car, truck, or SUV with emergency supplies, like a first-aid kit, portable shovel, ice scraper, blanket, snow boots, flashlight with spare batteries, nonperishable food, basic tools, flashing LED light or flares, and more. You can assemble this kit on your own, or purchase a pre-made one at any auto parts store. Stow all your supplies in your trunk or cargo area for easy access.
Winter Driving Tips
In Indiana and surrounding states, becoming a safe driver in all seasons takes practice. Even if you don’t have all-wheel drive or four-wheel drive, you can still safely navigate roads by following these instructions.
To prevent sliding on icy roads:
Drive at a safe speed. Sometimes, this is below the speed limit.
Keep a greater distance between your car and the car in front of you, in case you need to stop.
If you need to stop, take your foot off the gas in advance of the red light or stop sign. Then, slowly and gently press on the brake pedal to come to a stop.
If you do start sliding or skidding, follow these steps:
Take your foot off the gas pedal.
Steer in the direction you want your vehicle to go.
Pump your brakes gently; if you have anti-lock brakes, gently press the brake pedal.
Don’t overcorrect your steering wheel.
If your car is stuck on ice or snow in the parking lot or side of the road, follow these steps:
Don’t step on the gas. Your car may shoot forward once it gets traction, causing a wreck.
Turn your steering wheel left and right a couple of times to push snow out of the way.
Shovel snow away from your tires and vehicle, if you have it. Add kitty litter to the path of your tires, which can help you get a better grip on the road.
If your car has an automatic transmission - not a “stick shift” - put it into first gear and lightly apply the gas. You can also put your car in reverse and back into first gear to “rock” out of the rut.
Do You Have a Reliable Used Car to Drive?
The most foolproof way to prepare for driving in bad weather is to make sure you can count on your vehicle. If yours isn’t reliable, you may want to look into used cars for sale near you. Even if your credit score is lower than you’d like, you can still qualify for a loan at certain types of dealerships, like buy here pay here car lots.
Buying a pre-owned vehicle comes with a lot of benefits. For example, used cars depreciate more slowly than those you buy new and can come at a more affordable price. In terms of safety, cars from later model years come with all the features you need, like back-up cameras, lane-keeping assist, and more.
