|
Slippery roads cause thousands of accidents every winter, since many drivers do not adequately prepare themselves or their vehicle for these challenges. If you have to be on the road during wet or icy weather, it’s important that you know how to stay out of accidents. Here are 7 ways to stay safer when driving your Buick Enclave in Kansas City this winter. Change Your Driving Habits Most accidents on slippery roads occur because the driver is overconfident about his or her abilities. However, no matter how experienced you are or what type of vehicle you have, it’s impossible to drive normally on slippery roads and be safe. Here are some of the ways you can adjust your driving habits: - Drive more slowly, especially when turning.
- Brake gradually.
- Don’t tailgate.
- On particularly icy days, plan a route that avoids steep hills and other obstacles.
Change Your Windshield Wipers Slippery roads are even more dangerous if you can’t see the road clearly. Don’t drive with windshield wipers that leave your windshield streaked. Switch them out for high-quality wipers that are designed to hold up under the rain, sleet, and snow that often accompany slippery roads. It’s also important that you thoroughly scrape your windows so you can see the entire road around you. Many drivers are in a rush and only scrape away enough ice to be able to see out a small hole. Give yourself a little extra time so you can get to every window. Stay Visible As important as it is that you are able to see the road, it’s equally important that other drivers are able to see you. Slippery roads often occur in inclement weather where visibility is reduced, making it much easier to accidentally collide with someone. Keep your headlights on to alert other drivers to your presence. Also be sure to use your turn signals to avoid surprising the drivers around you. Choose the Right Tires Some tires handle slippery roads better than others. Choose tires with solid traction that are designed to reduce your chances of slipping or hydroplaning. Many vehicles come standard with all-season tires that are sufficient for most places in the United States. You can also install snow tires on your vehicle if you live in the northern states and expect to do a lot of driving on ice and snow. Watch Your Tire Pressure Even with the right tires, it’s easy to lose control of your vehicle if you don’t have the correct amount of pressure in your tires. Some people have been taught to let a little air out of their tires to increase traction on slippery roads. The truth is that over- or under-inflated tires lose traction much more easily than those that have the correct pressure. Maintain Your Vehicle Following your recommended maintenance schedule throughout the year can also help keep you safer on slippery roads. It’s important to make sure your vehicle is in top condition and can handle difficult driving conditions. Slippery roads put extra strain on your vehicle and may push a small problem over the edge. Icy winter roads are not the place you want to experience a blow-out or a sudden loss of control. Have Your Car Inspected If you live in an area where icy roads are a problem, it’s a good idea to have your Buick Enclave in Kansas City inspected before winter. Your mechanic can pinpoint any issues that might put you in danger on slippery roads, such as worn brakes or tires. An inspection is usually quick and inexpensive, and is well worth the cost if you come across problems that might have put you at risk on the road.
Related Articles -
buick, enclave, in, Kansas, City,
| 
