Check the coolant level in the overflow tank when the engine is cold. An Arctic front that sped across Iowa enveloped vehicles in a wintry mess of freezing rain, snow and ice. A zip-fastened, lined jacket and a pair of thin leather gloves are good bets for winter driving. As motorists most trusted advocate, AAA is here to help keep you and your vehicle safe this winter. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-9000576', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Paris area, (although you might!) Understand that everybody will be driving slower and plan your commutes accordingly so you arent late. Hand Holds, Steps, and Deck Plates. Unless they are unlucky with the weather, it is unlikely that there will be sufficient snow to affect roads of that it wouldn't thaw within a day or two if it did. Re: driving in france in winter. Step 2: Drive smoothly and slowly. If the light is blocked, replace it. Remove any ice, snow, etc., from the windshield, windows, and mirrors before starting. You should ask for checks covering each of the following areas. According to the US Department of Transportation, Winter tires have larger gaps in their tread patterns, Rick Ricart, president of Ricart Automotive Group. Trademarks and brands are the property of their respective owners. They might make the cabin nice and toasty, but they arent necessary, even on the coldest mornings. Its all-wheel drive system also includes the Subaru Driver-Controlled Center Differential, which allows drivers to customize acceleration speed in both front and rear wheels. This pamphletcontains information on vehicle systems, driverpreparation, winter driving techniques maximizingtraction, maintaining safe following distance andchanging speed smoothly and additional hints andprecautions helpful to drivers of front-, rear- and all-wheel drive vehicles. More about Christine Hauser, Driving in Winter? More would be better. "That creates its own sorts of hazard for other drivers.". Take our free sample driving test - no registration required! Safe Driving: Rain, Sleet, Snow or Otherwise. If you become stranded in an unfamiliar area, do not leave your car. Make sure the windshield wiper blades are in good condition. The cold won't affect the car unless you're fighting the cold," he said. Winter is still in full force. As a consumer, the main thing to understand is that there are real reasons for the switch from winter to summer blend fuel, even if it results in some pain at the pump. Be sure to keep your tires properly inflated and reference the snow chain instructions when putting them on. Mobile phone pre-programmed with rescue apps and important phone numbers including family and emergency services. Rick Ricart, president of Ricart Automotive Group, advises "caution on and off the road.". Use windshield washer antifreeze to prevent freezing of the washer liquid. If youre stuck and you hit the gas, you may just spin your tires. Ensure your car's heating and cooling systems are working properly so you can defog the windshield, keep an ice scraper handy to clear windows and windshields, and make sure your car's wiper fluid reservoir is filled and the wiper blades are in good shape. Its harder to control or stop your vehicle on a slick or snow-covered road. Don't let yourself be surprised by conditions or other drivers on the road ahead.". The guide advises drivers to choose warm, comfortable clothing. Manoeuvres are more difficult to make in the snow. We use 2.5 seconds to recognize that something is going on ahead of you, to decide to swerve or brake and then make that maneuver, Mr. Gent said. Keep a snowbrush and scraper in your vehicle at all times. When driving conditions are different, like in the winter, it is best to increase this following distance to about eight seconds. These basic safety measures help you maintain and regain control of your car, give you more time to prepare for dangerous patches of road think ice, snow, curves, or damaged street surfaces and, equally importantly, they put space between you and other drivers who may not be so cautious. To put it simply, worn tires in wet, slippery conditions are flat-out dangerous to you and other drivers sharing the road. Theres a recurring theme here. Gross said it was crucial to maintain a distance from the car ahead of you, employing at least three seconds of distance between you and the car ahead of you meaning you should be able to count at least three seconds between when the car ahead of you passes a landmark and when your car passes the same point. Make sure they will fit your drive tires. QR code From road warriors to cautious cruisers, take the quiz below to find out how safe of a winter driver you really are. First-aid kit including any necessary medication. Respondents were targeted using screening questions and profile data in order to ensure the correct demographic was achieved. But remember, the depth of the ice doesnt matter. How to Drive Safely in Snow and Ice - Driving-Tests.org Ace Your Vermont DMV Written Test with our Guaranteed Cheat Sheet. Other rates and terms available. Traction control is now standard on most new vehicles. In both states, the authorities had issued warnings about hazardous driving conditions. Her previous jobs in the newsroom include stints in Business covering financial markets and on the Metro Desk in the police bureau. Keeping your headlights on will help others notice you on the road during poor conditions. Along those lines, leave additional following distance. Avoid slamming on the brakes. Using snow tires can increase a vehicle's traction on the surface of slippery roads. Give yourself more time to get where youre going because youll be driving more slowly in inclement weather. Extra warm clothing (gloves, boots, hats, scarves). ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-9004002', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Paris region and coastal areas of the North West or Atlantic coast then they are less likely to see snow (still possible of course). Check this guide throughout the season for winter driving tips. Apply constant pressure and let the system do its work. Doing so could lead to deadly carbon monoxide flooding the cabin. Also, stopping on a hill will cause you to slide backwards. Comments may be edited for clarity and length. Prepping your vehicle for a winter drive is great, but you shouldnt overlook prepping yourself. Check from time to time during bad weather to make sure they are clean and working properly. If you fail to remove the snow or ice, there is potential to cause an accident if it falls off and hits a motorist or pedestrian. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. As for vehicle weight, driving dynamics is more important to vehicles winter driving prowess than its mass. Cloudy headlight lenses can be polished back to like-new condition with specialized kits, Paul said. Be first to know about the latest update and access free materials only The salt used to treat the roads can well up in the wheel arches so kick it loose if it builds up, but this is extremely unlikely in 2 weeks. Copyright/GDPR Information Andrew Gross, a spokesman for AAA, said he had one overriding observation when watching videos of the recent Texas crash. There is no reason to put yourself in danger if driving in snow and ice is not necessary. "Don't stop going up a hill," AAA recommends. is a national campaign to help educate drivers about the safety features built into vehicles. By getting your car ready for winter and using some simple tips to drive safely, you can face almost any weather Mother Nature decides to send your way. You are not that likely to encounter snow in the Paris area, (although you might!) Keep windshield and windows clear. Don't Drive Off with Snow and Ice on the Car - Car and Driver Learn how to put the chains on before you need to do it in snow and ice. 6. This specification is for a tire that is carrying its maximum rated payload. It is important to consistently check your antifreeze and windshield washer fluid levels. Transportation departments, the National Weather Service and 511-type social media accounts provide live updates. Drive slowly. A pickup is the ideal winter vehicle for my money. For starters, dont warm up your car in an enclosed space. Safe winter driving requires an abundance of caution, with defensive driving techniques employed and extra vigilance behind the wheel. 6. Lower pressure also helps prevent drivability problems such as vapor lock on hot days, especially in older vehicles. The exception to this is in the Alpine regions. driving in france in winter - France Forum - Tripadvisor They can also advise residents, as they did in Texas and Iowa, to avoid driving unless necessary. Having tires in proper condition can easily be the difference between a serious crash, and a collision that never happened.. If your vehicle is equipped with an anti-lock braking system (ABS), do not pump the brakes. Additionally, this can inform you of your driving route and overall plans. Even the best winter driving tips arent enough to convince some drivers to take their prized vehicles out in the snow. Hi Linda, youre absolutely right, hazard lights should always be on when broken down or pulled over. Top off all the fluids, fill up the fuel tank and add stabilizer to the gasoline, like you would a lawnmower. If the shutters freeze shut or the winterfront is closed too much, the engine may overheat and stop. All of the above. A longtime Paris traveler shares her tips and tricks for navigating your museum adventurebeyond the Louvre. Its a more fuel-efficient approach, Paul said. Under these conditions, consider driving slightly to the right of the center of the driving lane for better traction. Lights and reflectors are especially important during bad weather. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE I should have emphasised this in my initial post. Light flares in front and behind the car and make sure the exhaust pipe is not blocked by snow, mud or objects. Slamming on brakes in ice, snow or rain should be avoided because it can lead to hydroplaning. You and everyone in your vehicle should be wearing seat belts for every ride. Wiper blades should completely clear the glass with each swipe. Coolant Level and Antifreeze Amount. Winter is the most difficult driving season and requires extra caution from drivers. Beyond the basics like an ice scraper and the tools and supplies needed to change a tire or jump a dead battery, also consider snow chains and even a box of cat litter when spread on packed snow or ice, litter can create the traction needed to get your vehicle unstuck and back on the go. A general rule for driving on slippery conditions is drive slowly. Once the car is running, youve dialed up your favorite radio station and your seat belt is fastened, drive reasonably until the engine comes up to operating temperature.