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winter warnings

Winter tires on all four wheels will help you on icy roads.

  • Don't drive in heavy winter boots - they can jam the pedals
  • Kick snow off your feet before you get in the car. If you don't, the heating system will melt it and produce fog.
  • Clear snow off every part of your vehicle, not just the windows - it can slide and block your vision.
  • Think like a pro - watch for upcoming spots that may be icy, like bridges and shaded areas.
  • Always keep your gas tank full - if you get stranded, an operating heater could keep you alive until help comes.
  • Carry emergency equipment - blankets, a shovel, first-aid kit and a candle.
  • Use winter tires on all four wheels. Using them only on the driving wheels helps you accelerate, but won't improve braking or cornering
  • All-season tires aren't safe for winter driving. They're a compromise in the summer, and nearly useless in serious winter conditions. Winter driving experts dismiss them as "No-Season" tires.
  • Look where you want to go, not at the obstacle you're trying to avoid - if you're headed for a tree, for example, look to the space beside it.
  • Keep both hands on the wheel, placed at the three and nine o'clock positions. Use a light grip that lets you feel what the tires are doing.
  • Tire pressure changes with temperature. Check it when the thermometer rises or falls sharply.

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