How to Prepare To Drive in the Snow

There are some things you need to do before putting your car in Drive and getting out on the snow covered streets. Many people are not from an area where snow is a part of the regular season and suddenly move to a place that has snow throughout the winter. Maybe your area was hit by a freak pop-up snow storm. If so, do you know what to do before you put your car in Drive?

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Start your car to let your engine heat up. Some will say this is not necessary with new cars, but why take the chance. Allow the oil to regain its lower viscosity so it will move freely and easily.

2. Clear snow away from the tail pipe. A tail pipe buried in the snow can cause a carbon monoxide build up inside of your car.

3. Turn your defrosters and heat on inside of your car.

4. Clear all of the snow off of your car. Snow flying off the roof of your car is a danger to those driving around you. If you have a lot of snow on your car, it can also slide down over your windshield causing you not to see.

5. Clear snow and ice from your windows, windshield, head lights, tail lights and mirrors. Always keep an ice scraper in your car for this purpose. Never pour hot water on your windshield or windows because it can cause them to crack. Do not drive until all windows are free of snow and ice.

Tips & Warnings

• During cold winter months, raise your windshield wipers off of your windshield. This will keep your windshield wipers from freezing to your windshield.

[jaredsgirl]

on 11/20/2009 I hate driving in the snow even though it's so beautiful. Thanks for the tips! 5*

[writer7]

on 11/16/2009 Good tips on how to prepare to drive in the snow! 5*

[sallyemaycreate]

on 11/14/2009 Thanks for the timely article on How to Prepare to Drive In the Snow. I just moved from Tampa to the Midwest, so I needed a refresher and tips on this! 5*

[jhkcpa]

on 11/14/2009 Great article on how to prepare to drive in the snow. 5*

[godfather25]

on 11/13/2009 Great article on preparing to drive in the show.