Drive Safely this Winter
Driving safely in winter relies on a combination of preparation and careful driving—stay safe with these quick tips.
Fall Preparation
Take your car in for maintenance before winter to ensure it’s running in top condition. Don’t forget to have your tires checked, including tread depth and air pressure. If you live in an area with heavy ice or snowfall during the winter, consider switching to winter-ready tires that improve your car’s stability with better traction on icy, slippery surfaces.
Prepare an emergency kit with tools and supplies that might prove useful in sticky situations. A snow shovel, scraper, tow chain and flashlight are all good to have on hand, as is a bag of abrasive material such as sand or kitty litter that can be used to provide traction if you get stuck.
Check oil and antifreeze levels regularly during winter. Tires lose air pressure in cold climates and should also be checked regularly, especially during freezes.
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Driving Defensively
Driving in hazardous weather requires extra caution.
- Check your tire traction when entering potentially hazardous roads by slowing down and applying your brakes
- Drive slowly, and increase your following distance to four or five seconds
- Apply slow, constant pressure instead of pumping the brakes
Winter Auto Insurance
Auto accident rates increase in winter, and that means your insurance premiums may rise too. There are a few ways you can reduce the financial burden that winter places on your insurance rates.
- If you have teenagers on your policy, consider removing them during winter.
- Premiums are often bumped up due to the habit many people have of warming up their car engines in the winter. Fitting devices such as steering wheel locks and vehicle trackers will increase your car’s security and lower your insurance.
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**Auto Insurance Finder is not an insurance broker or carrier. Content on this site is for comparison and informational purposes only. The products and services listed on this site may not be available in all states.
Last Updated: February 14, 2008
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