The Do's and Don'ts of Winter Driving

DURAND, Mich.,–– Winter driving is not only dangerous, but it is unpredictable as well. You never know what it's going to be like on the roads in Michigan during the cold and snowy season. Even the most skillful drivers have a hard time handling road conditions. The chances of getting in an accident are high, which means you must be more cautious on the road than ever. Stay safe and drive in confidence by following our do's and don'ts of winter driving.

What to do:

Vehicle Preparation

• Test your battery out. If it's weak, replace it as soon as possible.
• Check your tire's tread and replace worn tires with a new set of all-season or snow tires.
• Make sure to check your tires' air pressure, as they tend to shrink in the winter.
• Top off your windshield wiper fluid and replace your windshield wipers if they are worn.
• Keep an ice scraper on hand.
• Keep a set of jumper cables in your trunk.
• Try to carry at least half a tank of fuel. Fuel lines can freeze if there isn't a lot of gas in your tank.
• Get your brakes checked out to ensure they are in good enough shape to handle excessive winter braking.
• Make sure to perform routine maintenance on your car as soon as possible.
• Remove all piled snow off the top of your vehicle before you begin to drive.
• Prepare an emergency kit that includes items such as a blanket, flashlight, and small shovel.

Vehicle Driving

• Warm up your vehicle first before you begin to drive. Once you start driving, take it slow the first little bit to ensure the engine heats up properly.
• Accelerate slower when it's icy and snowy out.
• Leave yourself plenty of space between you and the vehicle in front of you (at least double the normal amount).
• Brake at a slower pace and larger distance.
• Anticipate traffic lights ahead of time.
• Keep your eyes pealed at all times. It's best to be aware of your surroundings in extreme road conditions.
• MOST IMPORTANTLY: Take your time! Nothing is more important than your life.

What not to do:

Vehicle Driving

• Don't warm up your car in the garage or an enclosed space.
• Don't warm up your car by idling it. Give it time to warm up on its own and drive slowly the first little bit.
• DO NOT TAILGATE. You should give yourself twice the amount of space between you and the car in front of you.
• Keep your vehicle's momentum going up a hill. Don't accelerate, but maintain a steady pace to stop yourself from getting stuck or sliding back down.
• Do not slam on your brakes. If a car abruptly stops in front of you, it's better to pull off to the side as you start to brake instead of pushing hard on your brakes and sliding forward.
• Don't stop if you can avoid it. Try slowing down enough to keep your vehicle rolling until a traffic light changes.
• Don't take sharp turns at a fast pace. Make sure to slow your vehicle down much more than normal so that your vehicle doesn't slide around the turn.
• Don't use your cruise control in icy or snowy road conditions.
• Do not overcorrect if you start to spin out or lose control. Try to steer into the skid so that you regain more control instead of completely spinning out.
• Not everyone knows how to drive in the snow, so always be aware of other drivers.
• MOST IMPORTANTLY: Stay home if you can! It's better to stay off the road in dangerous conditions to protect the safety of yourself and others.

Winter road conditions are not ideal for driving on. Although it's best to stay indoors if at all possible during severe weather, in the event that you do have to venture out onto the roads, take your time and be as cautious as possible. Follow our do's and don'ts of winter driving for a safer bet this cold and snowy season. By making sure your vehicle is up to date on routine maintenance and ready to handle harsh roadways, you'll remain safer when you drive and be at ease knowing that you are prepared for the winter conditions. Check out our Winter Car Care tips for a complete checklist of how to get your vehicle in winter ready shape. If you're in need of service, schedule an appointment online with us today!

Located at 9009 East Lansing Road in Durand, MI 48429, Hank Graff Chevrolet Durand wants to revolutionize your car buying experience. We’ll bring all the transparency and customer satisfaction you need while making the buying experience fun! If you have any questions be sure to contact us at (989) 288-2657 or head over to our website at www.GraffChevyDurand.com! We are proud to serve Durand and the surrounding communities of Owosso, Flint, Genesee Charter Township, Swartz Creek, and Corunna.

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