Essential Winter Driving Tips #FordDriveSafe

Winter Driving Guidance #FordDriveSafe

Sponsored by Ford. All thoughts expressed are my own.

As a parent of a teenage driver, I feel apprehensive during winter weather changes. Though my son has received excellent training from the Ford Driving Skills for Life program, it’s natural for a mother to worry.

To ease my mind and possibly help others, I’ve put together a list of important reminders for teen drivers.

Winter Driving Guidelines:

• Warm Up Your Vehicle. Allow your car to warm up adequately. If parked outside, use this time to clear off any snow from the windows and hood to prevent reduced visibility for others.
• Avoid Enclosed Areas. Never start your vehicle in a closed space, like a garage, to prevent dangerous carbon monoxide accumulation.
• Tire Check. Ensure your tires are properly inflated, as tire pressure fluctuates with temperature changes.
• Keep the Tank Full. Maintain at least a half-full gas tank to prevent fuel lines from freezing and to avoid running out of fuel unexpectedly.
• Control Your Speed. Retain full control when driving on slippery conditions by avoiding cruise control to ensure better handling.

• Stay Aware. In case of skidding, always look and steer towards your desired direction.
• Prioritize Safety. Make using your seatbelt a routine habit every time you get into the car.
• Drive Slowly. To maintain traction and minimize slipping, accelerate and decelerate gradually, giving yourself ample space to stop.
• Increase Following Distance. Remember that stopping in winter requires significantly more distance, so allow for an eight to ten second following distance.
• Use Headlights. Regardless of daylight, headlights improve your visibility and help others see you, as conditions can change rapidly in winter.

• Avoid Stopping. Coming to a complete stop on slick surfaces can be difficult; if possible, reduce speed while remaining in motion until the light changes.
• Maintain Momentum. When climbing a snowy incline, gain some speed before the hill to help you reach the top without spinning your wheels.
• Use Floor Mats. Rubber mats can be effective for regaining traction if your vehicle becomes stuck. Alternatively, consider carrying sand in your trunk.
• Stay Indoors if Possible. If your trip isn’t necessary, it’s best to stay home, as not everyone has the same driving skills in adverse weather.

Do you have additional tips to share? Feel free to leave them in the comments!