Dealing with the Winter Driving Season

(ARA) – Heavy snowfall in northern parts of the country, and flooding and bone-chilling temperatures in other parts may make you feel like hanging up the car keys until spring arrives. But hibernation is not an option, so it’s a good idea to make sure your vehicle is at its best throughout the winter driving season.

“We all prepare for winter to some degree,” says Jim Sinclair, vice president of service for Subaru of America, Inc. “And even if your vehicle enjoys the superior traction and inherent safety of all-wheel drive, you’ll still need to give it a thorough ‘winterizing’ treatment, and maintain it throughout the cold season.”

Here are some hints for ensuring your car is in top condition for safe winter motoring:

* Rain is a common winter driving hazard throughout the country. Slow down on wet roads. Consider buying a vehicle with features like all-wheel drive and electronic stability control. While most people think of ice or snow when cautioned about slippery roads, the truth is wet roads can be just as slick. Tires can hydroplane on a layer of water, losing contact with the road and causing the vehicle to skid. Rain lifts oil, and other slippery fluids, dripped by passing autos and can create a slick layer on the blacktop. Flooded roads can stall engines.

* Start out with a safe car. Studies show that all-wheel drive and electronic stability control significantly reduce the risk of being involved in a crash. Automakers are beginning to offer the technologies on more models. Subaru offers both as standard equipment on models like its Tribeca that has earned the top safety ratings from industry watchdogs such as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (www.safecar.gov) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (www.iihs.org).

* Replace worn tires. Your tires are your vehicle’s only contact with the road. Worn treads provide less traction and greater chance to slide. Likewise, for optimal performance -- and better gas mileage -- make sure tires are properly inflated according to your vehicle’s owner’s manual.

* Don’t forget your wiper blades. Worn wiper blades can severely hamper visibility in poor weather, and after a long summer of sun and heat, wiper blades can become dry and brittle. Don't forget the inside of the glass -- a strong glass cleaner can remove the oily film and help defrosters clear windows faster.

* Check your vehicle’s fluid levels. Maintaining a 50/50 mix of antifreeze will prevent your engine coolant from freezing as temperatures drop. Be sure your engine oil is ready for the season -- when having the oil changed, remember that severe cold weather can require a switch to a different oil viscosity for better flow at lower temperatures. Be sure that your power steering and brake fluids are properly filled, and don’t forget the battery -- while most modern batteries are sealed and cannot be filled with distilled water, a charge test will ensure enough cranking power to start your engine as temperatures fall.

* Winter driving also comes with shorter daylight hours -- and a greater likelihood of at least some portion of your commute being driven in the dark -- so it is important to check all vehicle lighting. Check not only your headlights, but also your taillights, back-up lights, turn signals, parking lights and brake lights. These lights are important not only because they help you to see, but also serve as a way to help you communicate clearly with other motorists.

Courtesy of ARAcontent