Winter Driving Tips
Wisconsin winters pose a special challenge for drivers. By familiarizing yourself with a few key winter driving tips, you are more likely to reach your destination safely.
Because snow, ice, sleet, and other winter weather negatively affects the way vehicles handle, reducing your speed is the number one winter driving tip for everyone in Wisconsin. Roads that are slick with ice, snow, and rain can make driving more hazardous.
Instead of treating the speed limit signs as the holy grail, remember these posted limits are simply the maximum speed you can go without going afoul of the law. Be sure to slow down when you're faced with adverse weather conditions that could make it more difficult to stop and/or navigate the highway.
In addition to slowing down, make sure that you maintain an even greater distance between your vehicle and the one in front of you than you normally would. Slippery conditions mean that your car might not stop as quickly, easily, and smoothly as you expect it to.
Plan to significantly increase the following distance you maintain when the weather conditions worsen due to snow, rain, sleet, and/or ice. You'll want to have additional room and space to maneuver in case the vehicle in front of you stops or slows down unexpectedly.
Resist the urge to slam on the brakes -- even if the vehicle in front of you slows down or stops suddenly. Keeping an extended distance in between you and other cars will help reduce this knee-jerk reaction and give you additional time to react.
If your vehicle is not equipped with an anti-lock brake system (ABS), then pump your brakes if you feel your car begin to slide. Doing so could assist your tires in finding traction on the roadway once again.
For vehicles that do have an ABS, the recommendation is to simply continue braking as you normally would. You might feel the brakes "pulse" underneath your foot. This is the sensors taking over and automatically pumping the brakes for you.
If your vehicle starts to slide, don't engage the brake. Instead, turn the steering wheel into the turn. This means that you turn the wheel in the same direction the vehicle is sliding. The purpose of this is to allow your car to straighten itself without continuing to slide.
Set yourself up for success when you head out on the roads in Wisconsin during the winter months. One of the most important ways to do so is to ensure that you can see just as easily as you can when the weather is clear.
Build-in extra time before you leave for errands or work to clear off the snow from your windshield and mirror. Resist the urge to save yourself both time and effort by clearing only a section of the windshield that allows you to see out.
Taking this step could make it more likely that you'll end up in an accident. You won't be able to see well enough to avoid unexpected hazards. Additionally, you could also be ticketed if law enforcement sees that your vehicle has not been properly cleared of snow and ice before you headed out.
The proper maintenance of your vehicle is extremely important. Not only will it help protect your investment's value, but doing so can improve its performance as well. Your tires are a great place to start when it comes to preparing your car for the Wisconsin winter.
Depending on your exact location and driving habits, you might need to invest in snow tires. At the very least, make sure that the tires you do have on your vehicle are in good condition. They should be properly inflated and have enough tread to make it easier for the tires to grip the roadway.
Make sure your vehicle's fluids, such as the antifreeze and windshield wiper fluid, are topped off. If you need help checking the fluids in your vehicle, determining if your tires are in suitable condition for the winter weather, or deciding if you should get snow tires, the professionals at Marthaler Honda of Ashland can help!
1. Reduce Your Speed
Because snow, ice, sleet, and other winter weather negatively affects the way vehicles handle, reducing your speed is the number one winter driving tip for everyone in Wisconsin. Roads that are slick with ice, snow, and rain can make driving more hazardous.
Instead of treating the speed limit signs as the holy grail, remember these posted limits are simply the maximum speed you can go without going afoul of the law. Be sure to slow down when you're faced with adverse weather conditions that could make it more difficult to stop and/or navigate the highway.
2. Increase Your Distance
In addition to slowing down, make sure that you maintain an even greater distance between your vehicle and the one in front of you than you normally would. Slippery conditions mean that your car might not stop as quickly, easily, and smoothly as you expect it to.
Plan to significantly increase the following distance you maintain when the weather conditions worsen due to snow, rain, sleet, and/or ice. You'll want to have additional room and space to maneuver in case the vehicle in front of you stops or slows down unexpectedly.
3. Know How to React
Resist the urge to slam on the brakes -- even if the vehicle in front of you slows down or stops suddenly. Keeping an extended distance in between you and other cars will help reduce this knee-jerk reaction and give you additional time to react.
If your vehicle is not equipped with an anti-lock brake system (ABS), then pump your brakes if you feel your car begin to slide. Doing so could assist your tires in finding traction on the roadway once again.
For vehicles that do have an ABS, the recommendation is to simply continue braking as you normally would. You might feel the brakes "pulse" underneath your foot. This is the sensors taking over and automatically pumping the brakes for you.
If your vehicle starts to slide, don't engage the brake. Instead, turn the steering wheel into the turn. This means that you turn the wheel in the same direction the vehicle is sliding. The purpose of this is to allow your car to straighten itself without continuing to slide.
4. Increase Your Visibility
Set yourself up for success when you head out on the roads in Wisconsin during the winter months. One of the most important ways to do so is to ensure that you can see just as easily as you can when the weather is clear.
Build-in extra time before you leave for errands or work to clear off the snow from your windshield and mirror. Resist the urge to save yourself both time and effort by clearing only a section of the windshield that allows you to see out.
Taking this step could make it more likely that you'll end up in an accident. You won't be able to see well enough to avoid unexpected hazards. Additionally, you could also be ticketed if law enforcement sees that your vehicle has not been properly cleared of snow and ice before you headed out.
5. Properly Prepare Your Vehicle
The proper maintenance of your vehicle is extremely important. Not only will it help protect your investment's value, but doing so can improve its performance as well. Your tires are a great place to start when it comes to preparing your car for the Wisconsin winter.
Depending on your exact location and driving habits, you might need to invest in snow tires. At the very least, make sure that the tires you do have on your vehicle are in good condition. They should be properly inflated and have enough tread to make it easier for the tires to grip the roadway.
Make sure your vehicle's fluids, such as the antifreeze and windshield wiper fluid, are topped off. If you need help checking the fluids in your vehicle, determining if your tires are in suitable condition for the winter weather, or deciding if you should get snow tires, the professionals at Marthaler Honda of Ashland can help!