Winter driving conditions can be hazardous due to factors such as snow and ice on the road. While it’s important that you are prepared for winter driving, it is also important that your car is up for the challenge. Follow the recommendations below before the winter season to make sure your car can handle winter road conditions.

1. HAVE YOUR CAR SERVICED FOR WINTER CONDITIONS
Before you hit any harsh winter conditions, have your vehicle serviced to prepare it for the challenges winter can pose.

• Battery – Battery power decreases as the temperature drops, meaning that it takes more power to start your car in the winter. If your battery is already having problems, your risk of breaking down increases. It is recommended that your auto care provider installs a battery at or above 600 CCA for optimal winter performance.
• Cooling system – It is recommended to maintain a ratio between 50/50 and 70/30 of antifreeze to water. Ask your technician what antifreeze should be used for your vehicle and the appropriate coolant-to-water ratio to prevent against corrosion and potential freezing.
• Brakes – While cold weather doesn’t necessarily hurt your brakes, a thorough inspection can ensure the best performance when driving in winter conditions.
• Belts, hoses, spark plugs, wires and cables – These can go bad at any time of year, but if they go bad during the winter, you could be stranded in a very cold place for a very long time.

2. SWITCH TO WINTER TIRES
It’s possible to use all-season tires in winter conditions; however, this will not offer you the maximum performance you may need in your environment.

If you live in a place that experiences extremely cold winter temperatures, it is recommended that you install winter tires when winterizing your car. When the temperature consistently hovers around or below freezing, the rubber compounds in non-winter tires harden, decreasing the tire’s ability to grip the road. Winter tires use special compounds engineered to resist hardening in cold temperatures, providing better traction in ice, snow, slush, and even dry pavement.

If you live in an area that doesn’t normally have intense winters, all-season tires should be acceptable. However, if you live somewhere with harsh winters or regularly visit places that do, winter tires are the safest choice for you.

3. MAINTAIN TIRE PRESSURE
Every 10° change in ambient temperature could mean a gain or loss of 1 PSI. This means you should check pressure more regularly during winter and refill your tires as needed. Appropriate pressure for your tires can be found on the tire placard in the driver’s side door jamb or in your vehicle owner’s manual.

4. CHECK FOR CHANGING TEMPERATURES THAT COULD AFFECT TRACTION
Before going out for a long winter drive, check to see how temperatures may change while you’re out. Changing temperatures can affect both your traction and driving ability if there is a sudden change that you’re not prepared for.

For example, how you should drive in 0° weather is much different than how you can drive in 32° weather. You generally have better traction at 0° than you do at 32° due to surfaces becoming more slippery at these higher winter temperatures.

5. INSTALL WINTER WIPERS
These come equipped with rubber that keeps ice from collecting on the blades. Just be sure to remove them when spring rolls around. As winter wipers are heavier than regular ones, keeping them on all the time increases the load on the wiper motor.

6. KEEP WASHER FLUID FULL
Replace your windshield wiper fluid often. A single snowstorm can exhaust a large amount of this fluid, so refill the washer reservoir frequently with windshield wiper fluid formulated for winter conditions. If you’re unsure if your washer fluid is the right formula for low temperatures, add a bottle of washer fluid antifreeze to the reservoir. You’ll find it at most auto parts stores.

7. PACK A WINTER SAFETY KIT
Before heading off on a trip, store common tools and supplies in your car in case of an emergency. Use this infographic below to know what to pack before heading out into the snow.

8. KEEP THE GAS TANK AT LEAST HALF FULL
Fill up often! Keeping gas in the tank is more important in winter than in summer. Why? For one thing, a full tank reduces condensation, which can prevent gas line freeze ups. Not only that, but if you’re ever stranded, your engine may be the only thing to keep you warm until help arrives.

9. KEEP YOUR REAR-WINDOW DEFROSTER IN WORKING ORDER
Being unable to see behind you could create unsafe driving conditions. That’s why several states have laws stating that all your windows must be clear of condensation and debris. When winterizing your car, check your rear-window defroster before cold weather arrives to be sure it’s working properly.

10. LEARN WINTER EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS
It’s important to know what to do before you are in an emergency in case you ever get stuck. If you get stuck in a winter storm while driving:

• Do not leave your car for risk of losing sight of it
• Do not run your car for long periods of time. Instead, turn it on long enough to stay warm, and then turn it off again to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning
• Put your dome lights on to attract attention

11. LEARN HOW TO DRIVE IN WINTER CONDITIONS
It’s best to know how to drive in winter conditions before getting on snowy or icy roads. With our guide to driving in snow and ice, learn more about:

• What gear to drive in on snow and ice
• How fast you should drive
• Stopping distance you need between vehicles
• What to do if you start sliding
• Driving uphill or downhill

• Sturdy scraper/snow brush/snow shovel to clear snow
• Flashlight with extra batteries or crank-powered flashlight
• Blanket or sleeping bag
• Gallon jug of water
• First aid kit and essential medications
• Tire chains and tow strap
• Jumper cables
• Flares/reflectors to signal for help and warn other motorists
• Battery or crank-powered radio to listen to emergency broadcasts

• Extra set of clothes, including coat, hat, mittens, boots, etc.
• Chemical hand warmers
• Non-perishable snacks like granola bars
• Non-clumping kitty litter/sand for traction
• Deck of cards or board game for entertainment

• Take a little extra time to clear your car of snow and ice before leaving for your destination.
• There are three actions you do most when you drive: accelerate, turn, and brake. In winter weather, you should only do one of those actions at a time. Attempting more than one of these actions at once can cause slide-outs, spin-outs, and other harmful scenarios.
• When traveling downhill, if possible, switch to a lower gear, and gently tap your brakes. This helps to avoid burning your brakes, and in winter weather, it helps keep traction.
• Keep momentum when traveling uphill to avoid getting stuck.
• When driving at night, keep your headlight beams low. High beams can amplify the appearance of snow and lead to decreased visibility.
• Slow down – driving too fast for conditions causes most crashes.
• If you encounter a multi-car collision, stay in your car. You’re safer in your car than outside of it.
• Follow Colorado’s Left Lane Law. No matter the season, keep right except to pass.
• Signage is your best friend – look ahead and plan ahead for abrupt turns or stops.
• Always wear your seat belt.
• Never drive impaired.

Commercial trucks have large blind spots on all sides where other vehicles can disappear from the view of the driver. If a professional truck driver has to make a sudden movement, such as a quick lane change to avoid debris or a disabled vehicle, crashes can occur if they can’t see you.

Colorado’s trucking industry works throughout the winter keeping our economy moving. Please give them the courtesy of driving the speed limit, staying alert at all times and eliminating distractions.

Just like snowplows, commercial trucks command respect in winter driving conditions. It takes more time for these heavier and larger trucks to accelerate and slow down, especially on steep grades. Give them plenty of space and no sudden moves!

When passing a large truck, do so on the left side and don’t linger alongside the truck in the driver’s blind spot.

After passing a truck, don’t cut in front of them too quickly. It can take trucks the length of a football field to come to a complete stop — and even more in snowy conditions. You’ll want to leave plenty of space.

When traveling behind a truck, stay back and out of the blind spot so that the driver knows you’re there. Not to mention, if the truck is using chains, the tires may kick up snow and other debris.