Are you a experienced driver in the snow or is this your first time driving in the snow? Here what you need to know when driving in the snow, know if your vehicle is a front wheel drive, rear wheel drive or all wheel drive. Front wheel drive is your driven wheels that are your turning and breaking, the front tires are your first point of contact. Rear wheel drive is your rear tires are your driven tires, this means that the power from the engine is delivered to the rear wheels and the rear wheels push the car forward. All wheel drive AWD is optimized for on-road use, it has the capability to send the engine’s power to all four tires all of the time giving your more control of your vehicle.

Be Prepared In Cold Weather

  • Keep a warm bag in your car, such as extra food and water, warm clothing, a flashlight, a glass scraper, blankets, medications, and more.
  • Check your vehicles manual for cold weather tire pressure reading
  • Be sure to have more then half tank of fuel in your vehicle.
  • Before leaving home make sure to preheat your vehicle in an open area.
  • Do not use cruise control when driving on any slippery surface rain, snow and Icey road conditions.

Tips for Driving in the Snow

  • Stay home and go out if necessary. It’s better to avoid taking unnecessary risks by venturing out. For your safety and others.
  • Drive slowly and cautiously. Adjust your speed down to account for lower traction when driving on snow or ice.
  • Accelerating and decelerating slowly be sure to apply the gas slowly this will help you regain traction and avoid skids. Reminder that driving on ice takes longer to stop.
  • Whether you have antilock brakes or not, keep the heel of your foot on the floor and use the ball of your foot to apply firmly, steady pressure on the brake pedal.
  • Avoid stopping if you can. Stopping a moving vehicle in motion is hard when driving on icy rods.
  • Avoid power up hills. Applying extra gas on snow-covered roads will just make your wheels spin. Try to get a little inertia going before you reach the hill and let that inertia carry you to the top.
  • Don’t stop going up a hill. There’s nothing worse than trying to get moving up a hill on an icy road. Get some inertia going on a flat roadway before you take on the hill.

Our Payne Collision Centers are here to help you with any vehicle maintenance repairs and work with multiple insurance carriers. Visit us at Payne Weslaco Collision in Weslaco, TX or Payne Collision in Pharr, TX.