Winter Driving Tips

Houston’s cold fronts may not result in inches of snow, but that doesn’t mean citizens shouldn’t know a few basic winter driving tips. Even Texas’ cold weather can create unique hazards for drivers. If the holiday season takes you to more wintry destinations, you need to be able to navigate the roads safely and confidently. Prepare your vehicle and yourself for winter roads to help prevent accidents this season.

Optimize Braking Power

When temperatures dip below a certain point, precipitation like dew on the roads can turn to ice. Icy roadways are not conducive to short, sudden stops. Change your driving behaviors in cold weather to prevent issues such as your brakes locking up, vehicle overturns, or rear-end collisions. Leave more distance between your vehicle and the one in front of you than you normally would. Add at least an extra 10 feet to be safe, and 20 feet when on the highway. In a rear-end collision, the rear vehicle almost always faces liability.

On winter roads, slow your speed as much as necessary to operate your vehicle safely. If you need to hit your brakes on icy roads, you will either pump the brakes or apply steady pressure, depending on your braking system. Learn whether or not you have anti-lock brakes (ABS). If you do, you do not have to pump your brakes on slippery or bumpy roads. You still should avoid slamming on your brakes, if possible, to keep yourself safe and your brakes in good condition. It’s up to you to safely brake on icy, wet, or slippery roads.

Keep Your Line of Vision Clear

Even if cold weather doesn’t cause ice or snow, it can fog up your windshield, windows, and mirrors. Read your vehicle’s operator’s manual to figure out which defrost setting is ideal for cold weather conditions. If you do notice a thin layer of ice on your windshield, scrape it off completely before driving. Replace old wipers to ensure they will effectively wipe away rain, snow, and sleet. Keep your windows clean and clear. Smudges and fingerprints can catch the bright winter sunlight and become opaque, making it almost impossible to see the road.

Check Your Tires

A vehicle’s tires are the only things separating the vehicle from the road. The performance of the tires can make a world of difference in the safety of the vehicle. Operating on bald, worn out, or underinflated tires can lead to blowouts and related car accidents. During winter, the state of your tires is especially important. Check air pressure, as cold temperatures can make tires lose air and go flat. For every 10 degrees colder it gets outside, your tires will drop about one pound per square inch (psi). Fill your tires to the manufacturer’s recommended pressure before hitting the road.

Houston residents can typically get by with all-season tires, since the city does not see snow. If you’re headed somewhere that experiences snow and ice on the roads, however, consider investing in special winter tires. Winter and snow tires have different tread for better traction and safer vehicle handling. The right tires can help you maintain control of your car, even in the most unpredictable weather conditions.