Severe weather conditions like winter storms account for road accidents and deaths across the country, so drivers must stay vigilant if they need to go out during these times. According to car dealerships near Rio Rancho, NM, one way to prevent being part of the horrible statistics is to ensure that your vehicle is ready to drive in icy or wintry conditions.
Here are some driving tips from a trusted Subaru dealer near Santa Fe, NM, to give you better control when driving on slick roads.
Before You Start…
Conduct a Visual Inspection
Extreme temperatures can affect your car in many ways. For this reason, you need to conduct a visual inspection before you go in and buckle your seatbelt. The first thing you need to check is your tires. The cold temperatures tend to deflate your tire, which affects your car’s traction performance. This is also the best time to check for punctures, cracks, bulges, or tire damage on all tires, including the spare.
Check Your Battery
The next thing to check is the battery. According to dealers of Subaru near Santa Fe, NM, extremely low temperatures tend to take more battery power to start the engine. This is true regardless of whether you drive fuel or electric/hybrid-electric vehicles. If you are not sure how to check, it’ll be best to have your trusted mechanic inspect for you. You can also get a tune-up while you are at it to check other parts that may have been affected by the chilly weather.
Know Your Car Better
Lastly, if you are driving a newer vehicle model, you must get familiar with the technologies that it has to offer. Most newer cars have an antilock brake system, which prevents your wheels from locking up as you brake. However, older vehicles might need a steady pump on the brakes to get the same mechanism to work.
While you are driving…
Plan Ahead and Be Patient
If you cannot avoid driving during winter, car dealerships near Rio Rancho, NM, advise that you diligently plan your route. Take note of possible road closures and other mishaps. Also, you need to give yourself extra time on the road as you will need to drive much slower than average to prevent yourself from getting into accidents.
Aside from reducing speed, it will also be wise to steer clear of cruise control since it’ll just make driving on slippery roads more dangerous. Instead, drive using a lower gear to prevent you from unintentional acceleration. It will also give you more time to react if you encounter a problem while driving.
Know How to Control Your Vehicle
If, by some unfortunate circumstance, you find your vehicle starting to skid, do not panic. The best way to control your car is to decelerate gently–that is, do not just stomp your foot on the brake and hope for the best. You can recover control by getting your foot off the gas pedal, turning the steering wheel in the direction you want to go, and gently stepping on the brakes. However, if your wheels have already locked up, the next best thing to do is to keep your foot off the gas pedal, shift to neutral, and slowly try to steer your vehicle to safety.
Check out your Fiesta Subaru car dealer in the Albuquerque, NM, area for more winter driving tips.
