Now that winter is upon us, driving in snowy and icy weather conditions is inevitable. The key is to be prepared and get advice for driving in a blizzard. It’s also important to know what you should do if your car gets stuck in the snow. Fortunately, we have some great tips and information to get you started.
7 Tips for driving in a blizzard
- Be prepared with inflated tires, a fully-charged battery, plenty of antifreeze, lights that work properly, and windshield wipers that are in good condition.
- Press slowly and steadily on the brake and gas pedals.
- Maintain a reasonable and safe speed.
- Put extra distance between your vehicle and the one ahead of you.
- Take extra caution in areas with potential icy spots, such as bridges.
- Avoid braking and turning at the same time.
- If you start to skid, stay calm and turn your wheel in the direction of the skid in order to regain traction. Then, straighten the wheel gradually as your vehicle recovers.
The most important thing to keep in mind when driving in a blizzard and other inclement weather conditions is to stay calm and be smart.
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What to do if your car gets stuck in the snow
- Do NOT spin your tires. This can dig your vehicle deeper and deeper into the snow.
- Turn off traction control.
- Put your vehicle in the lowest gear and alternate between slowly backing up and slowly moving forward.
- Turn the steering wheel and alternate between backing up and moving forward slowly.
- Get out of your vehicle and clear any excess snow away from your tires.
- Put sand, kitty litter, or a piece of cardboard under your rear tires for some traction assistance.
As you prepare your vehicle for winter (Emergency Roadside Kit) and improve your winter driving skills, feel free to get in touch with our team at Sherwood Ford if you would like to learn more.
