Driving safely in the fog

Fog is a difficult weather condition to drive in, and should not be taken lightly. It is a visible mass consisting of cloud water droplets or ice crystals suspended in the air at or near the Earth's surface which affects human visibility.

To drive safely in the fog, follow the below tips:

1. Check the density of the fog before taking the car (fog appears mostly in the early morning or towards the evening). It is better not to drive in the fog if it is very dense.
2. Allow more distance between vehicles on the road.
3. Turn the headlights on. 
4. Turn the Fog lights on if available.
5. Use the hazard warning button to be more visible to others.
6. Don't drift. Make sure you follow the right edge of the road so you don't accidentally drift toward the middle of the road.
7. Pull over to the side of the road if you have no visibility. 
8. You can ask passengers with you in the car to keep an eye on the road to make sure there are no obstacles on the road.

Driving in a Snowstorm

1) Keep your vehicle in 1st or 2nd gear on snow or ice:
A lower gear not only keeps your car moving slower, it gives the tires more power and more traction which is vitally needed on slick roads.

2) Put your vehicle in a lower gear when turning:
Because of the weight shift on a turn it is much easier to lose control (even in dry weather) in the middle of a turn. It is very easy to skid even in 2nd gear on icy roads when turning, 1st gear is safest.

3) Use the gas pedal and brake pedal as gently as possible at all times on snow and ice:
Any pressure on either pedal causes the weight of the vehicle to shift. (brake pressure sends weight to the front, gas sends it to the rear).  This can cause a dangerous loss of balance and control on ice. Therefore use very little pressure on either. This also means brake very early.



4) Push the gear in neutral to stop at red lights and stop signs:
This is contrary to the teaching of safe driving practices but icy conditions require different driving than in dry or wet but non-freezing conditions.
Snow and ice are the only time I would suggest using neutral to help brake, and once you are stopped, immediately put the gear in 1st or 2nd again.
Neutral disengages the engine from the wheels so the engine isn't moving the car forward. This brings a car to a stop much quicker on ice.

5) If you start to skid push the gear in neutral:
I was on my way to a student one morning when heavy snow started falling half way to her house. Although I was driving slow and careful in 2nd gear, as I made a left turn my tires lost traction and I started skidding slowly toward a stopped car to my left headed the opposite direction.
I remembered what my boss told me about using neutral to come out of a skid. As soon as I put my car in neutral my car immediately stopped just about three feet from the other vehicle. This winter driving tip saved me from a collision.

6) Stay on the roads most traveled:
This is pretty much common sense. There are several reasons using busier roads in snow is a good winter driving tip.
More traveled roads will be partially cleared by other traffic.
There is a higher chance the city has brought snow plows and deicers on busier streets.
If you do get stuck on the ice there is a better chance of finding help on a road with more traffic.


7) Don't trust Chains on very steep hills with ice, even with a four wheel drive vehicle:
In South East Portland in 2008 many drivers with Jeeps and other 4WD vehicles believed because they had chains on their tires, their vehicles could safely get down the steep hill of Johnson Creek Blvd. from Mount Scott.
It was laughable to watch the clips on the news of many SUVS' with chains sliding into parked cars on the hill because there just wasn't the traction the drivers thought there would be.

!!! Don't drive on Snow and ice unless you absolutely need to !!!
Even straight, flat,  frozen, wet roads can be unpredictable.  The drivers on them are unpredictable as well. The best of drivers can easily lose control on ice with one slight error with the steering or the pedals.
Wait until the roads unthaw before driving on them if you can. It will be safer and a lot less stressful behind the wheel if you do.

Source: http://www.drivingtips.org/winter-driving-tips.html 

Other blog posts that will help you make it home safely:

• Pack a Winter Emergency Kit
• Prepare your car for WINTER

MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Changing a Car Tire

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Winter Emergency Kit

• Blanket, rug or sleeping bag
• Shovel
• Bits of carpet or thick cardboard to place under driven wheels to help regain traction on ice or snow
• Salt, sand or cat litter – to help clear snow and ice
• Reflective jacket(s)
• Ice scraper and de-icer
• Torch and batteries
• Tow rope
• Snow chains (if you live in a remote or rural area)
• Battery jump leads
• Bottled water
• Snacks – chocolate or cereal bars
• Extra screen wash

source: http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/seasonal/winter-checklist.html

Prepare your car for WINTER!

Breakdowns happen more often during winter time and road conditions become more challenging, especially when it starts snowing. 
Here's what you need to know in order to have a safer and trouble-free driving during winter time:


BATTERY
Lights, heaters and wipers put high demands on the car battery. If your driving is mainly dark rush-hour trips, the battery will give out eventually.Replacing one near the end of its life can save a lot of time and inconvenience at the side of the road.

ANTIFREEZE
Coolant systems that are not in the right proportion will lead to overheating due to freezing. Have the car's coolant system flushed in the fall before the first freeze. You also need to check the system for leaks and install fresh coolant. 


WIPERS
Inspect the windshield wipers and replace them if they are worn or have become hardened. Change the windshield wiper fluid with one that has antifreeze added to it. 

TYRES
Consider changing to winter or all season tyres – these have a higher silica content in the tread which prevents it hardening at lower temperatures, and therefore gives better grip in cold wet conditions.

HEATER
Have it checked and make sure it's working. Not only is it important for you to stay warm, but it also serves to clear the front and rear glass for a good vision.

HEADLIGHTS
It's a non negotiable necessity to have your headlights working all year long. It's a good idea to carry spare bulbs.

IMPORTANT!  Keep an Emergency kit in your car and a First Aid kit in case you have any unexpected incidents.

What to pack in your Winter Emergency Kit?

Ways to Save on Fuel

There are several ways for a driver to save on fuel consumption. Applying most of these tips together can reduce the fuel consumption of your vehicle to about 10% !

I) MAINTENANCE

• Servicing: By giving your car regular servicing you can make sure the engine is working efficiently.
• Engine oil: Make sure you are using the right engine oil (check the handbook).
• Tyres: check tyre pressures regularly and before long journeys; under-inflated tyres create more rolling resistance and so use more fuel.

II) BEFORE GOING ON A TRIP

• minimize weight: extra weight means extra fuel so if there's anything in the boot you don't need on the journey take it out.
• Streamline: roof-racks and boxes add wind resistance and so increase fuel consumption. If you don't need it take it off – if you do, pack carefully to reduce drag.
• Leave promptly: don't start the engine until you're ready to go as idling wastes fuel and the engine warms up more quickly when you're moving.
• Don't get lost: plan unfamiliar journeys to reduce the risk of getting lost and check the traffic news before you leave
• Combine short trips: cold starts use more fuel so it pays to combine errands such as buying the paper, dropping off the recycling, or collecting the kids.

III) ON THE ROAD

• Drive smoothly: accelerate gently and read the road ahead to avoid unnecessary braking.
• Decelerate smoothly: when you have to slow down or to stop, decelerate smoothly by releasing the accelerator in time, leaving the car in gear.
• Rolling: if you can keep the car moving all the time, so much the better; stopping then starting again uses more fuel than rolling.
• Change up earlier: don't labour the engine but try changing up at an engine speed of around 2,000 rpm in a diesel car or around 2,500 rpm in a petrol car. This can make such a difference that all cars in the future are likely to be fitted with a 'Gear Shift indicator' light to show the most efficient gear change points.
• Cut down on the A/C: air-conditioning increases fuel consumption at low speeds, but at higher speeds the effects are less noticeable. So if it's a hot day open the windows around town and save the air conditioning for high speed driving. 
• Turn it off: electrical loads increase fuel consumption, so turn off your heated rear windscreen, demister blowers and headlights, when you don't need them.
• Stick to speed limits: the faster you go the greater the fuel consumption and pollution.  Driving at 80mph can use up to 25% more fuel than at 70mph.
• Don't be idle: Turn the engine off if it looks like you could be waiting for more than three minutes.

http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/fuels-and-environment/drive-smart.html