Winter Safety Tips From Mike Anderson

Winter Safety Tips From Mike Anderson Chevy Chicago

The holiday season is here, and while you might be busy baking or decorating, you might want to think about winter driving safety. Snow, ice, sleet, and low temperatures will be here for the next several months. Under inclement conditions, you’ll want to know how to operate your vehicle in safe and cautious ways as you hit the road and how to prepare your vehicle for the winter. Check out some of our winter driving tips below—you can also stop in Mike Anderson Chicago today for winter maintenance

Always Keep An Emergency Kit In Your Vehicle 

There are some basic things you can stock your vehicle with a winter car safety kit that will make winter weather driving easier and safer. To deal with snow and ice, you should always have an ice scrape at the very least, and a snow shovel, a broom, and abrasive material (sand or kitty litter) will be helpful in case your vehicle gets stuck in the snow. In general, but especially in the winter, it’s always a good idea to have jumper cables, a flashlight, and some warning devices like flares and emergency markers. Finally, keep a stash of personal safety items specifically for the winter: blankets or extra clothing for protection from the cold, a phone charger, water, food, and any necessary medicine.

To summarize:

  • Ice scraper
  • Snow shovel
  • Broom
  • Abrasive material (sand or kitty litter)
  • Jumper cables
  • Flashlight
  • Flares or emergency markers
  • Blankets or extra clothing
  • Phone charger
  • Water, food, and any necessary medications 

Keep Your Gas Tank Full 

In the winter, it’s easy to get behind on filling up your vehicle’s gas tank. You will generally use more gas in the winter months, but frigid temperatures mean winter is a dangerous time to run out of gas, so you’ll need to stop at the gas pump more frequently. Running out of gas, like in heavy traffic that often happens during snow or ice storms, could leave you stranded on the side of the road. The low temperatures and snow build-up could be a serious safety risk. Even if your tank is half full, it’s worth filling it up just in case. 

Take Things Slow

This winter driving tip may seem pretty obvious, but we all forget it as soon as we’re running late for work or have only a short time to run errands. Slowing down can make a huge difference for your winter driving safety. Ice patches can be anywhere, and black ice means you won’t always be able to tell where the road is most dangerous. Reducing your speed will also make up for the reduced traction wheels have in the winter and prevent your wheels from sliding on ice. Be sure to also leave plenty of space between your vehicle and other vehicles or objects around you. 

Winterize Your Vehicle With Winter Maintenance 

One of the best ways to enhance your safety while driving in snow is to get winter maintenance for your vehicle. Getting special winter gear and accessories can also help your safety and convenience. Depending on your needs, winter maintenance might include investing in new wiper blades, refilling your car’s fluids, or installing a cold weather car battery

Visit Mike Anderson Chicago!

Looking for a Chicago Chevy dealer? At Mike Anderson Chevrolet of Chicago, we are one of the area’s premier Chevrolet dealerships with a huge selection of Chevy cars, trucks, and SUVs for you to choose from. Founded in 1969 by Bob Anderson, Mike Anderson Chevy Chicago is proud to continue to serve the community with a great selection of vehicles and top-notch customer service to everyone who walks through our doors. Chevy financing is also available for qualified purchasers. Visit us to learn more about best winter cars or schedule your winter maintenance

You may also like...