Winter Driving Tips

Winter Driving Tips

With the weather continuing to cool down, we thought it would be helpful to include some tips on how to safely drive during wintery conditions. We hope that you and your family take all the precautions to be safe while you travel on the road.

Before you leave:

• Get your car serviced to make sure everything is working and that you have no leaks. It is better to do this before you leave than facing a car problem on the road.
• Clean off any snow or ice that may have accumulated on the vehicle. 
• Make sure you have enough fuel in your vehicle and fill your gas tank if you have to.
• Stock your vehicle with any emergency supplies you may need such as a blanket, flashlight, food, and water. (See for additional supplies).
• Check the weather and road conditions. If the roads are bad, wait until they get better.
• Notify someone when you are leaving and where you are headed. This way if you get lost someone knows where you are.

 For information regarding the road condition in Iowa visit: http://www.511ia.org/ 

When Driving:

• Stay alert to changing conditions and be prepared to stop if necessary. It's better to be late than try to drive through a storm.
• Drive slowly and watch for ice patches. Black ice is hard to see and can cause a vehicle to lose control.
• Follow at a distance that will allow you enough time to stop your vehicle if you slide. 
• DO NOT text and drive. Keep your eyes on the road.
• If you are feeling tired, pull over and rest for a little while. 
• DO NOT crowd snow plows on the road. Snow plows are trying to clear the road and need space to do so.

In an Emergency:

• Stay with your vehicle. A vehicle is easier to find than a person.
• Conserve your car's battery.
• DO NOT run your vehicle for long periods of time with your windows up. If you have to run the car, clear the exhaust pipe of any debris and run the car only as long as you need to.
• Avoid exerting too much energy. Overexertion make you hot and sweaty which can cause hypothermia.
• Make your vehicle as visible as possible. Use anything you can to make your car more visible to people. If you do not have florescent material use something that is bright and will attract attention.  

For more information about staying safe during the winter, click on one of the following links:  

https://www.nhtsa.gov/winter-driving-tips

http://readywisconsin.wi.gov/winter/HowToMakeAKit.asp   

Be sure to visit your friends at Knoepfler Chevrolet 

to make sure your car is safe for the winter.

Schedule an appointment with our service department today 

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