6 Tips for Weathering Extreme Winter Weather Events While Driving & Idling

Well, we sure did get socked with a big one last week, didn’t we! Hopefully, you and your family were safe during the Blizzard of 2013. All 27-plus inches of drifting snow got us thinking here at Westboro Toyota about the importance of ensuring safety when driving or idling during an extreme winter weather event.

Here are some tips for staying safe during a blizzard or other extreme winter weather event:

1)    This one should go without saying, but if you don’t have to drive during a winter weather event, don’t! Give the plows time to get a jump on salting and sanding the roadways so they’re passable once the storm winds down.

2)    If you must drive, be sure to obey the speed limit and always reduce your speeds significantly when hazardous road conditions are present. Allow several car lengths between you and the vehicle in front of you so you have ample time to slow down without slamming on the brakes—which is likely to cause skidding—as necessary. Also, while it may seem counterintuitive, turning into the skid may actually help prevent your vehicle from spinning out of control.

3)    Get your brakes and tire tread/pressure checked. Brakes and tires play a major role in your ability to safely control your vehicle when the roadways are slick. Contact Westboro Toyota today to schedule your Express Maintenance appointment. Our multi-point inspection includes tire rotation and brake check. And, when it’s time for new tires, be sure to visit Westboro Toyota’s Tire Center. Also, be sure to read up on why checking tire pressure is so important during cold winter months and how to tell when it's time for new tires. 

4)    Keep a vehicle survival and safety kit in your vehicle. Include blankets or sleeping bags, gloves, flashlights with batteries, jumper cables, non-perishable food items, such as granola bars, a reserve of prescription medication, if applicable, a basic toolkit—think knife, screwdriver, rope, etc.—a small shovel, flares, and an ice scraper.

5)    Don’t drive close to snow banks, as you could wind up driving into one if you hit a patch of ice or catch a heavy wind gust. Also, be extremely cautious when pulling out from behind a snow bank, as you may not see oncoming traffic or pedestrians immediately due to the snow-cover pile up.

6)   Always dig out your exhaust pipe before starting your vehicle—it’s a good idea, too, to put the windows down, too, while warming up the vehicle to ensure that no dangerous carbon monoxide enters the passenger compartment. 

Want more information on winter-driving tips? Be sure to read Westboro Toyota’s recent blog posts: 3 Signs It’s Time to Replace the Car Battery to Combat Frigid Winter Temps and 8 Tips to Keep Your Vehicle Running Smoothly Through the Winter.

And, if you have any questions or concerns about your vehicle’s performance this winter, you can schedule service 24/7 using Westboro Toyota’s Online Service Scheduler!

Don't forget, too, that now is a great time to consider purchasing a brand-new Toyota. It’s Washington’s Birthday Bonanza, now through Feb. 18, 2013, and when you purchase a new Toyota you’ll get 24-hour roadside assistance if you ever need it for a flat tire, towing or other unexpected event.