Winter Driving Tips…

Be Proactive –

Before the winter season begins, inspect all your tires carefully. Look at the tread depth, signs of uneven wear, abnormal sidewall bulges, or surface cracking. If any one of these items is deficient, it’s time for replacements. If you find your tires to be in good condition, double-check for proper inflation. To learn more about tire replacement at Tubbs Brothers, read this blog article “Tire Price Guarantee“.

Winter Tires –

For even more sure-footed road travel, consider having true “winter tires” installed on your vehicle. Winter tires are designed to handle the unique challenges of driving in the coldest months of the year. From their specially designed tread patterns to the chemical compounds in the rubber, they are built specifically to provide better grip and more control in cold, winter conditions. Click this “Tire Quote” link to receive a new tire price quote. 

Vehicle Maintenance –

Next, make sure your vehicle is ready for the onset of colder weather and hazardous driving conditions. For recommended winter vehicle maintenance and a suggested list of items to carry, read this blog article “Are you ready for Winter Driving”.

Fuel Gauge –

Another suggestion is to keep your fuel tank topped off as much as possible during colder weather. This can help prevent condensation in the fuel tank from freezing in the lines. And if you get stranded or caught in a traffic jam, you’ll have plenty of fuel.

Stay Home –

If the weather is really bad, the best advice is to just stay home (unless it’s an emergency). Sometimes it’s just not worth the chance of getting stuck or having an accident, so decide your risk analysis carefully. If you choose to venture out, make sure to let someone know when you are leaving, the intended route, and an estimated arrival time.

On the Road –

First and foremost, when roads are icy or snow-covered, decrease speed! This is the number one tip, often overlooked or forgotten. Slowing down gives you extra time to react to unexpected events, which is amplified when stopping distances are increased and steering control is decreased in adverse weather conditions. This is a lead-in for the second most important tip, increase the distance between you and other cars on the road. Slippery roads make stopping distances much more critical, so it’s better to overcompensate than risk the alternative.

Avoid the Skid –

Overall take it easy, avoid excessive acceleration, abrupt steering & hard braking; any of which can create traction loss resulting in sliding and or skidding. If your wheels do start to spin or you feel skidding, ease up on the accelerator and avoid slamming on the brakes. If you are traveling up a hill try not to stop midway, slowly build up speed to get some inertia going, and do not allow the wheels to spin.

Stopping and Braking –

Your tires have less traction on snow and ice, so braking becomes an important control factor. Braking gently to prevent locking up the wheels will increase the ability to steer and keep the vehicle moving in a straight, forward direction. Remember to start slowing down earlier and braking sooner as you approach a stop sign. If you have a newer vehicle with anti-lock braking systems (ABS), the system automatically optimizes braking and steering during icy conditions. If you do not have ABS, you need to manually pump the brakes on and off during slippery conditions to maintain control. For inexperienced drivers, it’s a good idea to find a large, empty parking lot after a fresh snowfall to practice this technique.

No Cruise –

During snow or slushy conditions, it’s a good idea to forgo hitting the cruise control button. When roads are wet, chances of black ice are greater, and cruise control systems could mask the effects which decrease your reaction time.

No Distractions –

It’s always important to keep your mind clear and your eyes on the road, but even more so during adverse weather conditions. Avoid talking on your cell phone, making unnecessary radio/climate control movements, or any other distractions that take your focus away from driving. Remember, you need to allow extra time to react to unexpected situations or road conditions… so the phone calls can wait.

All in All, I encourage everyone to follow these simple driving tips during adverse weather conditions. Most importantly… slow down, increase the distance between you and other cars on the road, and start braking sooner as you approach stop signs. It may take you longer to reach your destination, but it’s well worth the effort if it avoids an accident along the way! 

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If you’re looking to replace your current vehicle in-favor-of one equipped for hazardous weather, click the button below to see the current inventory of All-Wheel-Drive or Four-Wheel-Drive models…

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At Tubbs Brothers, we are committed to continuous improvement. Our modern equipment and facilities, highly trained personnel, environmentally friendly practices and great deals on cars and trucks all contribute to our motto…

“At Tubbs Brothers, we’re proud of the cars we sell, and even prouder of the way we sell them”

Call or Text: 810.648.0000
Website: www.TubbsBrothers.com

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“We’re proud of the cars we sell, and even prouder of the way we sell them”

Tubbs Brothers, Inc. | 959 West Sanilac | Sandusky, MI 48471
www.tubbsbrothers.com | sales@tubbsbrothers.com

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