Not everyone knows the techniques or tricks of driving in adverse conditions, not even those who live in areas of cold weather, so it is convenient to remember them to minimize risks. One issue that few drivers know, for example, is that below 7 ° C conventional tires begin to lose their performance. It is because of this issue that there are special winter tires, did you know this? Preventing is always the best way to avoid accidents or dangerous situations; this is the first advice that we must take into account.
Condition Your Car And Get Ready For The Harsh Winter
The most important thing in the cold and its consequences on the road is to have the car conditioned and be prepared for any adversity. Here are a series of guidelines to follow to combat the harsh winter and the risks of driving with ice or snow:
- Before the first snows arrive, check your car and make sure everything works correctly. The last thing we want is for our car to break down or fail when driving on ice. So, checking the battery status, fluid level, tires, brakes, windshield wipers, and lights, above all, is essential
Get some winter tires or buy new ones in case the current ones are worn. Driving on ice on the road with tires in poor condition is a danger since the possibility of slide car (รถสไลด์ which is the term in Thai) is much higher. Winter tires are designed to ensure greater adhesion on complicated surfaces
- Always check the tire pressure during the winter months. Due to the cold, the tire pressure drops
Practical Advice To Avoid Unnecessary Risks
Also, keep these other tips in mind when forecasting frost or snowfall and avoid taking unnecessary risks behind the wheel:
- Drive at the average speed allowed or even lower when you have to drive with ice on the road. If you go very fast, it will be easier to get off the road by going through an ice plate and having an accident
- Leave enough space between your car and the one you have in front or to the side, in this way you will have more space to maneuver without any risk of collision in case either of you slips
- In the snowy season, when parking the car, lift the windshield, cover the locks with adhesive tape and leave the first gear on to prevent the brake pads from sticking to the discs
- Avoid driving at night; poor visibility on cold winter nights can play tricks on you
- Always keep the fuel tank full, as far as possible, in this way you will avoid being lying in the middle of the road in the middle of a snowstorm