INDIANAPOLIS -- The time of Wednesday’s winter storm could have an impact on your morning commute.
Bill Amonett the owner of Beck Service Center recommends checking your car’s tire pressure before you head out the door.
“If you have low tire pressure you get in a slide you hit a ditch, you’re going to blow a tire out then you’re going to be stranded on the side of the road,” Amonett said.
Experts say not enough tire pressure can affect the steering and the handling of your car. Experts also recommend checking the tread on your car’s tires.
Now when it comes to driving in the snow, if you must, experts suggest keeping a safe distance between you and the car in front of you. Amonett recommends filing up your gas tank tonight, just in case you and your car have a long distance too travel.
“You want to turn the steering wheel the opposite way and let that thing get off the gas and let it neutralize before you go on,” Amonett said.
Amonette says you can turn your front wheels in the same direction that the rear of the vehicle is sliding.
For example, if the back of your car slides to the right, turn the wheel to the right. Now if you and your car slides into a ditch and gets stuck, experts have this advice,
“You have to be very careful when you are getting out of that bank because if you are sitting there revving it up and trying to get in and out the next thing you know is you’re going to burn up a transmission,” Amonett concluded.
At the end of the day, your safety is the number one priority.
INDOT has these tips for driving in the snow.
You can read more about them on their website.
Be Prepared!
- Knowledge: Before leaving home, find out about the driving conditions. Safe drivers know the weather, and their limits. If the weather is bad remember, Ice and Snow, Take it Slow, or just don’t go.
- Clear: Remove any snow on your vehicle’s windows, lights, brake lights and signals. Make sure you can see and be seen.
- Inspect: Check your vehicle’s tires, wiper blades, fluids, lights, belts and hoses. A breakdown is bad on a good day and dangerous on a bad-weather day.
- Time: Leave plenty of time to reach your destination safely. It’s not worth putting yourself and others in a dangerous situation just to be on time.
- Kit: Keep a basic winter survival kit in your vehicle, including a flashlight, batteries, blanket, snacks, water, gloves, boots, and a first-aid kit. Load your car with winter travel gear, including tire chains, ice scraper/snowbrush, jumper cables, and road flares.
Proceed with Caution!
- Speed: The faster you’re going, the longer it will take to stop. When accelerating on snow or ice, take it slow to avoid slipping or sliding. Ice and Snow, Take it Slow.
- Distance: Give yourself space. It takes extra time and extra distance to bring your car to a stop on slick and snowy roads. Leave extra room between you and the vehicle in front of you.
- Brake: Brake early, brake slowly, brake correctly and never slam on the brakes. If you have anti-lock brakes, press the pedal down firmly and hold it. If you don’t have anti-lock brakes, gently pump the pedal. Either way, give yourself plenty of room to stop.
- Control: When driving on ice and snow, do not use cruise control and avoid abrupt steering maneuvers. When merging into traffic, take it slow. Sudden movements can cause your vehicle to slide.
- Vision: Be aware of what’s going on well ahead of you. Actions by other vehicles will alert you to problems more quickly, and give you that split-second of extra time to react safely.
