Finally getting a driver’s license is The. Best. Because not needing to call your mom to pick you up from after-school practice? Fire. But there are some things that may still make you nervous, too. What if you get a flat tire? Or run out of gas? Or get into an accident? Once you have a bit of experience under your belt, your fears tend to subside: You’ve totally got this. And then it snows.
Driving in the rain or snow is a whole different story. Suddenly, roads become slick, your windows fog up and sometimes you can’t even tell if you’re in your lane. Worrying if you’re going to slide off the road — or into another vehicle — is a perfectly rational fear. But we got you! KSL Cars and Keys to Success have suggestions to keep you safe, even when the weather gets rough.
Snow day
Remember when you looked forward to snow days? Now, when you wake up to a vehicle covered in white fluff, you might call them white-knuckled driving days. And yes, you definitely need to be more cautious and pay even closer attention to the road. But it’s doable when you follow our tips for driving in the snow.
Clear!
Even before fastening your seatbelt, brush off all that snow from the windows, roof, hood and trunk. Clear headlights and taillights, too. If you don’t get your car cleaned off, you’ll likely create your own traveling snowstorm that will swirl around you — and the surrounding vehicles — as you head down the road.
Before going anywhere, clear all the snow from every surface of your vehicle.
Slow and steady
Just like you slip and slide on icy sidewalks, your tires may have trouble getting traction on the road. The key is to drive smoothly and deliberately. What does that mean? As you steer, either to take a turn or change lanes, be gentle — no hard cranking.
No fast brakes
Gentle braking is also important. This means you’ll need to pay closer attention to what’s ahead of you and give yourself plenty of time to stop. Don’t go barrelling over a hill, thinking you’ll hit the brakes if something is on the other side. Give yourself extra time to slow down for turns, and double your stopping distance at traffic lights.
Stop the skid
Sometimes, even when you’re driving as cautiously as possible, you’ll still slide. First, don’t panic and slam on the brakes. If the front tires are slipping, simply take your foot off the accelerator; this should give your tires a chance to regain traction. Gently turn the steering wheel in the direction you want to go.
If the rear wheels are sliding and you’re beginning to spin out, take your foot off the gas and quickly turn your steering wheel in the same direction that the back of the car is sliding. We know it sounds backward. Do it anyway. Once your car regains traction, steer where you want to go.
Driving rain
Wet roads can be just as dangerous as snowy ones, especially if they’ve been dry for a while. The buildup of engine oil is brought to the surface when it rains, making roads extremely slick. Be especially wary during the first 10 minutes or so of a rainstorm, before debris is washed away.
When roads are wet, your tires may lose traction. If this happens, take your foot off the gas.
Slippery when wet
In the same way a vehicle may slip on ice, the tires may also lose traction on extremely wet surfaces. If you begin to hydroplane — when the tires lose direct contact with the road — take your foot off the accelerator and shift your car into neutral. Continue to turn the steering wheel in the direction you want to go. You’ll fare even better if you’re proactive when driving in the rain.
- Turn on your headlights; even if it’s not dark, it helps other vehicles see you
- Slow down
- Drive smoothly; no erratic turns or lane changes
- Maintain a safe distance, especially on busy roads and at intersections
- Start slowing down sooner when turning and at intersections
No Cruisin’
Avoid cruise control in any type of wet weather. When you feel yourself losing traction, your first instinct is likely to take your foot off the gas. That’s good. But if you have the cruise on, the car will keep going at the same speed. In fact, because the car tries to maintain a speed, it could even speed up if it loses traction.
Hot and bothered
There’s no doubt about it, summer days are hot in Utah. Sometimes it’s even hot enough to cook an egg on the sidewalk — though that’s a gross idea, if you ask us. Know what else is terrible? Your car breaking down in the heat. Yep, even if you don’t need to worry about visibility, there are a few other important factors to consider when driving in extreme heat.
Feeling the pressure
Tire pressure increases any time you drive — the friction from the wheel hitting the pavement — but even more so when it’s hot. In fact, it can increase one pound per 10 degrees. But more air doesn’t mean a fluffier ride. Like a rubber balloon, the more air you add, the higher the chance it will explode. And a blowout is an even worse experience than that cooked egg.
Check your tire pressure at least monthly, before you set out for the day. It should be at the recommended range — not the maximum number — listed inside your car’s front door.
Watch the engine's temperature gauge, and pull over if the needle moves into the red.
Too hot to handle
On your car’s dashboard, there’s an engine temperature indicator — either a gauge or a warning light. The engine’s temperature fluctuates somewhat as you drive, which is perfectly normal. But if the warning light comes on, or the line on the gauge enters the red zone, your engine is getting too hot. If this happens, pull over immediately and give your vehicle a chance to cool off for at least 20 minutes.
If the gauge is rising but isn’t in the danger zone just yet, it might help to turn off the air conditioner and turn on the heater. Admittedly, it will probably be pretty unpleasant, but doing so draws heat away from the engine, giving it a chance to cool down.
Charged up
If you have an electric car, note that the battery charge may be reduced up to 40% in extreme weather — hot or cold. Plan additional charging breaks if you’ll be going long distances.
Chips n’ dips
You may know to avoid the pothole in the school parking lot, but what about the one that appeared overnight on your street? Roads can buckle and start degrading when they get really hot. Look out for bumps and potholes, so you don’t drive over them and damage your car’s alignment.
Be prepared
No matter the weather, always travel with an emergency kit. That should include absolute essentials such as jumper cables, a spare tire, tire iron and jack. Make proper car maintenance part of your safety regimen, as well. Keep up with tire rotations and oil changes; be sure fluids are filled (wiper and coolant); and regularly wash windows and mirrors.
You know all that stuff mom has in her purse? Stash it in your car, too. Snacks, tissues, bottled water, a cell phone charger: They’ll all come in handy, even if you’re just stuck in traffic.
Driving it home
Driving a car is pretty fun. Just hop in and you can go wherever you want, whenever you want. And most of the time, the hardest part is finding a parking space once you get there. But there’s more to it than just hitting the gas. You need to pay attention to road conditions, too, especially when driving in weather extremes.
Find a vehicle to take you through Utah’s four seasons on KSL Cars — many for less than $10,000.
