Winter Driving Preparedness Tips
Here at AAMCO Minnesota we understand the importance for winter safety and readiness. That’s why we offer and remind you of so much information on it. We also offer great winter car care specials – just print and bring to your local AAMCO Minnesota transmission and auto repair shop.
Winter is a rough time for driving. Snowstorms, ice, and overall bad weather conditions make an already challenging job even more so – but it doesn’t have to be your worst nightmare. There are many ways to ensure your safety and the safety of others by practicing safe driving habits and staying on top of your car maintenance. Here are some tips to help you smarten up for driving and keeping your car up to spec this winter.
Look Up
Pay attention to the weather before and during your trip, especially if you’re going on a longer trip. If you’re planning on a long drive, let other people know where you’re going and the estimated time of arrival in case anything happens. Conditions can change quickly. Are you driving into the worst blizzard in years? Are you a snow chaser and just have to get out there? Be aware and prepare. If you’re reading this, chances are you’ve got a smartphone. Use a weather app to keep track of the weather in your area and your destination. Up-to-the-minute updates will help you prepare properly for your journey into the great white north, or whatever direction you choose.
Power Up
Speaking of that smartphone, make sure it’s charged and take the car charger with you. Don’t have a car charger? Get one. Another handy gadget to have is a battery pack or mobile power station that can charge your phone in minutes and holds enough power to charge it several times over, or power several devices.
Speaking of batteries, give some thought to the big one – the battery in your car. Here’s an article on winter battery tips – what kills it, what keeps it (and your car) going. There are three primary factors that contribute to the formula for a dead car battery in the wintertime – age, cold, and load. Obviously, if the battery is five or more years old, it’s going to have a harder time putting out power and its ability to accept a charge is going to decrease. Combine that with the heavy cold of Minnesota winters, your car battery deserves some attention before you hit the frozen road. Pack some jumper cables if you don’t replace the battery.
Gear Up
Have proper clothing with you for whatever winter weather might bring. Sweaters and fleece jackets are great, but when temperatures drop below freezing, suddenly the coziest sweater from your grandmother is tissue paper. You’ll wish you had an arctic explorer’s parka. Always keep gloves or mittens (mittens keep your hands warmer) in your car (not your trunk), an extra coat, a thick knit hat, blankets, and even a scarf (scarves are warm and amazingly versatile). If you’re not already wearing them, a pair of boots might come in handy.
If you usually keep this stuff in your trunk, it’s a good idea to move it into your car if you’re venturing out into more-treacherous-than-usual conditions. The last thing you want to do, or the first thing you can’t do because you’re trapped or hurt, is get out and go digging around in your trunk as the snow and ice pile up around you and the wind takes your breath away.
Other Gear
Tire chains are optional, but can really be your best friend when driving on slick, snow-packed roads. A bag of kitty litter can help your car gain traction if you are stuck in a really icy or slick spot. Keep a pointed garden or flat edge coal shovel in your trunk – it’s good for digging in, around, and even under your car if you’re stuck. Flares are good day or night, as they call attention to your position and situation, particularly in bad weather.
Let’s just cut to the chase. That emergency kit you’ve been meaning to put together should include:
- Ice Scraper
- First Aid Kit
- Blanket
- Hat
- Gloves
- Jacket
- Sand
- Shovel
- Jumper Cables/Portable Car Charger
- Flares
- Medication
- Snacks
- Water
- Phone Charger
Gas Up
Keep your gas tank full if you can. Don’t let it go below a quarter tank. If you get stuck in traffic, or become stranded, more fuel means more idling & heater time. You’ll be glad you had that extra bit of fuel to get you through the rough times and safely home.
Wake Up
Sleepy? Tired? If all you’d like to do is sleep, try to avoid driving at all when it’s snowy and icy outside. This is just a dangerous combination that could lead to an accident – or worse, you taking the proverbial dirt nap. No amount of coffee and sugar is going to make up for the lack of mental clarity and reaction speed that is needed to effectively drive in adverse weather. Add to that the darkness of night and you’re phenomenally closer to ending up somewhere other than your destination.
Buckle Up
Do we really have to mention it? Buckle your seat belt. It’s the law. And keep an 8-10 second distance from the vehicle in front of you. You’ll be thankful for that extra space as you slide uncontrollably toward their rear bumper on that patch of ice you ignored. Accelerate and brake slowly. Spinning your wheels and skidding all over the road works your transmission harder than usual and can cause an accident.
Ease Up
If you end up skidding on ice or snow, ease your foot off the gas and carefully turn into the skid until you regain control – point the car in the direction you want to go. If you can’t get up a hill, put on those chains we mentioned earlier. They don’t seem so optional, anymore, do they? It beats taking a running start and using inertia to get you up the hill – potentially messy and dangerous. Just put your car in second gear for more traction while going slower. Put it in low and take it slow around corners, too.
Clean Up
Invest in a good ice scraper and heavy duty snow brush and clean off your car thoroughly. In some states, it’s illegal to drive without having all your windows cleared – scraped, swept, and defogged.
Warm Up
In most newer cars, it’s not necessary to idle to warm up the engine; in fact, it’s more efficient to warm up your car just by driving. This gets your car’s engine and systems up to running temperature faster than sitting in the cold, and helps reduce unnecessary emissions. Plus, if you like to start your car and go back inside while it idles and warms up, you might go back out to find that someone decided to warm it up the right way – and drove off with it. Related: “Warming up your car before driving is a leftover practice from a time when carbureted engines dominated the roads.“
If you are experiencing any problems, bring your car to your local AAMCO Minnesota Transmission and Total Car Care center. We’ll help you keep your car running reliably so you won’t have to worry about whether your car will start in the next cold snap, or if you’ll weather the next blizzard.
AAMCO Minnesota for Winter Car Maintenance and Repairs
If you have questions about your car’s road readiness, or about car repair and maintenance, AAMCO Minnesota can help. Come to AAMCO Minnesota for a Transmission Multi-Point Vehicle Courtesy Check for your transmission and related systems. We’ll winterize your car and get you ready for the cold, snowy winter driving months ahead. We can handle all your scheduled car maintenance and repairs, from oil changes to factory recommended maintenance.
Other Articles About Car Maintenance & Repair
Checklist for Preparing Your Car for Winter
Take the Fear Out of Transmission Repair
We’re the transmission experts with over 50 years of experience rebuilding and replacing transmissions, and all their 800 pieces. We’ve fixed over 40 million transmissions – way more than our competitors. And we offer a lifetime warranty. Because we have the skill to fix an 800-piece transmission, we can easily fix the rest of your car – brakes, shocks, mufflers, even your engine. Lots of things can make your engine light come on. Today it can be hard to tell what’s wrong with your car, especially if it’s your transmission. Our technicians are trained to keep up with the complex engineering of today’s cars. So, next time something goes wrong with your transmission or any other part of your car, bring it to your local AAMCO.