Driving in the winter
You look out the window and your worst forebodings becomes stark reality: it rains. A relentless falling drops is accompanied by a temperature of 2 ° C (and down). Two factors together result in endless traffic jams, road closures, chances of having a multiplied accident ... But who's afraid? Stop shaking (unless it is cold). If the necessary precautions are taken or your car or your security have to be affected by the cold. The question is: are you your car and you prepared for winter? The answer will after reading these tips winter driving:
1.Advice to winter driving: preparing your trip
The first is to prepare your car to pass the winter without colds. This means that you have to make a proper car. If you prefer to take it to a shop, look at our tips for choosing a good vehicle workshop. Also, make sure you bring with you all the necessary items: next to the obligatory (vest, triangles, a light kit parts and spare wheel), they should carry a flashlight, cell phone battery fully charged, water, warm clothes, gloves, blanket, first aid kit and a full tank.
2. Tips for winter driving: Information
If you plan a trip, prior research on the state of the roads; You can check some sites,. If the weather forecast is bad, it may be better to cancel the trip or do it later. If, nevertheless, you are caught by the snow, recalls the recommendations of Civil Protection:
- Stay in the car.
- Keep the vehicle engine running and the heater on, and occasionally open the windows to air turnover.
- Do not stay asleep.
- Check that the output of the exhaust pipe is kept free to prevent smoke from entering the passenger compartment.
- Tune radio because it will be reporting on weather predictions, the state of the roads and official indications are given.
3. Tips for winter driving: the journey
Once on the road, although it sounds like a cliché, remember that the important thing is coming. Slow down and put into practice in this video advice for driving on a slippery surface. Also Check out our tips in this video about driving during a storm. Furthermore, it is that you consider other tips dropped from automobile clubs like Race or Racc before winter driving on slippery surfaces:
- Avoid changing lanes and overtaking if not essential.
- Follow the outline of the ruts of other vehicles to recognize more easily the path of the road and maneuvers that have made other cars (for example, drawing a curve, or to detect road obstacles like rocks) .
- It is best to drive smoothly and anticipate to have time to react.
- If the road is icy, increase the safety distance.
- In icy roads or downhill down to a lower gear earlier than usual; so you can reduce speed by smoothly.
4. Tips for winter driving: the importance of seeing and being seen
One of the biggest problems of this time of year is visibility. In winter there is less daylight hours, to which phenomena such as rain, fog ... why are added, it is that you consider the following tips:
Before starting your car clean and devoid snow, ice or mud stuck to ceiling windows ... Also, clean it in the car wash regularly.
Clean the headlights; dirt does not let light. And do not forget the rear or mosquitoes and other insects.
Change the headlight bulbs. Although founded only replaces the two. Note that work symmetrically.
Thaws the windshield before starting. If necessary, power heated rear window.
Avoid wet: If water gets into the car, the windows fog up quickly.
Remember that heavy rain or snow, it is mandatory the use of fog lights.
5. Winter driving tips: put up the car
Antifreeze: It is vital to protect the cooling circuit. It is best to use the one with the UNE highest rank, and you change it every two years or every 40,000 miles.
Tires: Check maintaining tire pressure and drawing your gums (in winter should not be less than 3 mm). And if, despite its advantages, not mount winter tires, do not forget to wear chains in the trunk. Attention worn tires, avoid scares.
Battery: Check that power level is right before leaving. Check the terminals; Once clean, and prevent them from forming sulfate on.
Kit: You never know what situation you can get to find. Therefore, carrying a first aid kit with bandages, alcohol, cotton tape ... Besides water, a blanket and mobile always charged.
Bring tweezers: Indispensable all year, but with more reason in winter. And the cold discharge batteries; its optimal operating temperature is 25º C.
The wipers: Change them if they make noise when running or leave grooves. Do not forget to refill the washer with detergent. You can add some antifreeze lowered.
Accessories Emergency: Valen chains you have for your tires? Is the extinguisher has expired? Remember if the flashlight takes batteries? Do not forget to check the state of emergency accessories.
Isolates of car: There are products that improve the tightness of the gums that isolate the doors and trunk. If the time has already made a dent in them, change them.
Oil: If it's time to change the oil in your car, and you live in a cold area, it is best to opt for a low-viscosity (5W-40). So you will improve the resistance of the motor.
Cables and plugs the car: At least in winter you should check thoroughly all the mechanics of your car. Pop the hood, and as if you were Sherlock Holmes, looking for possible frayed wires check the condition of the spark plugs.
Cushions: If you want to leave your car ready, you can not overlook check your shock absorbers. To know when to change them, put your weight on the hood; if takes to regain the position it is now.
Heating: Imagine that fails in the middle of the mountains ... Check it out. Also check the air conditioning, heated windows, alternator and belt circuit.
6. Tips for winter driving: on a slippery
If the car is 'going nose' you must:
- Prevention: enters the curve at a moderate speed and release gas to not slide - Do not turn the steering wheel too so the wheels do not bear too much centrifugal force
- Fix: if you notice that the car is going 'back', stay calm: act quickly, but without suddenness.
- 'Countersteer': turn the wheel to the opposite side until you feel that the car is well positioned
- Wait: do not worry if the car crosses a little, if prevents whiplash 'to the opposite side - not accelerate or brake. What we must do is pressing the clutch fully for dumping weight forward.
If skidding the rear:
- Prevention: the front end does not obey the direction. To prevent, moderate speed.
- It's best to take the curve slowly and as open as possible: the wheels take longer patina.
- Do not correct: If, nevertheless, the car's nose will 'not force the situation.
- If you release the steering wheel or shut more spin, you get out of the way. The slogan is to maintain position.
- Hold go as going slower, the wheels regain grip the asphalt.
- Do not step on any pedal. When all is done, you can press the accelerator slowly.
7. Driving tips in winter: ice
The main thing is to avoid sudden reactions and use high gears. Uphill and flat, use a higher gear than usual and let distance with the car ahead of you. Also, avoid overtaking. Downhill, catch the car with low gears, use the clutch and hit the brakes gently as possible.
8. Driving tips in winter wind
Slows down and keep a high rpm on the engine to maintain the trajectory. Hold the steering wheel tightly and make smooth movements. Flows through the center of the lane, and extreme caution when passing (especially if it's a large vehicle such as a truck) and out of tunnels
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