AAA Offers Winter Driving Tips as Snow Storm Approaches

With a snow storm forecasted to bring the first significant snowfall of the season bearing down on the East Coast, AAA is offering driving tips to those traveling this Thanksgiving Holiday.

AAA press release:

Florham Park, N.J., November 25, 2014 - With winter making an early appearance in the northeast and a storm predicted just in time for the Thanksgiving holiday, AAA reminds motorists to be safe as they travel to their Thanksgiving destination. If you’ll be one of the one million New Jerseyans hitting the road, AAA offers these reminders for how to stay safe on wet, slippery roads:

Slow Down and Leave Extra Space. Normal following distances of three to four seconds on dry pavement should be increased to eight to 10 seconds when driving on icy, slippery roads. The increased following time will allow for extra braking distance should a sudden stop be necessary. If driving on a four-lane highway, stay in the clearest lane, and avoid changing lanes and driving over packed snow.

Avoid Cruise Control. Most modern cars feature cruise control, which works great in dry conditions. In inclement weather, however, using cruise control increases the chance of losing control of the vehicle. Avoiding cruise control gives you more options to choose from when responding to a potential loss-of-traction situation, thus maximizing your safety.

Know How to Respond to a Skid. Even skilled and careful drivers can experience skids. If you feel your car begin to skid, it’s important to not panic and follow these steps:

• Continue to look at your path of travel down the road
• Steer in the direction you want the front of the vehicle to go
• Avoid slamming on the brakes as this will further upset the vehicle’s balance and make it harder to control.

Since part of being a safe and prepared driver means keeping your vehicle in good operating condition, AAA’s automotive experts recommend keeping an eye on the following vehicle components during winter weather:

Vehicle Battery. Extreme cold can be particularly harsh on vehicle batteries—the chemical reaction inside the battery slows as temperatures drop, causing the battery to work even harder to create enough voltage to start the vehicle. A battery’s lifespan ranges anywhere from three to six years, but having an older battery in the winter is risking it. To ensure a vehicle battery will get you through the cold season, AAA recommends having it tested by a professional and, if necessary, replaced with a new battery.

It’s also important to keep the battery’s terminals, cables and clamps clean and free of corrosion. Dirty or corroded battery cables and terminals place additional strain on a battery already weakened by the cold.

Tires. The most significant—yet often overlooked—part of safe vehicle operation is tire maintenance. Motorists generally don’t check the condition of their tires until one has gone flat. Tire pressure decreases by one pound per square inch with every 10 degree drop in outside air temperature. It’s a good idea to check the air pressure in all five tires (don’t forget the spare, if the vehicle is equipped with one) at least once a month, even more during extreme temperature swings. Improperly inflated tires can experience premature wear and failure.

Coolant. Check the coolant level in the overflow tank when the engine is cold. If the level is low, add a 50/50 solution of coolant and water to maintain the necessary antifreeze capability. Be sure to use the coolant specified for your vehicle.

Windshield, Windows and Mirrors. “Peephole” driving, when motorists only clear enough of the windshield to see out is not only dangerous, but against the law. Whether it’s frost, snow or ice, completely clearing the windshield, windows and mirrors is safer for the driver and those with whom they share the road. Drivers should also be sure to clear the roof, so that melting ice does not fall into their sight line or onto other vehicles. Good visibility is key to safe driving and not completely clearing the vehicle of snow, ice and frost can impact visibility and driver safety.

Preventative measures go a long way toward keeping motorists driving safely on the road, but unexpected problems can still occur and leave drivers stranded. AAA recommends that motorists keep a cold-weather emergency kit in their vehicles, which should include: jumper cables; emergency flares or reflectors; a flashlight with extra batteries; blankets; a change of clothes; glove, hat and scarf; drinking water and non-perishable snacks; sand, kitty litter or traction mats; a first-aid kit; an ice scraper and brush; and a cell phone with a car charger.

The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning from 7 a.m. until 10 p.m. on Nov. 26. The Lehigh Valley is expected to get between 3 and 6 inches of snowfall during the 24-hour period on Wednesday.