January 21, 2016
The East Coast is bracing itself in preparation for Winter Storm Jonas. Many states have already been hit with some snow and ice, and the expectation is that Jonas will turn into a superstorm by this weekend. As a result, much of the Northeast—including parts of New York, Baltimore and D.C.—will experience blizzard conditions such as several inches of snow, icy slick roads, strong high winds and even the potential for coastal flooding. Navigating a vehicle through a superstorm like Winter Storm Jonas is a challenge for even the most skilled drivers. Therefore, the best thing you can do in such conditions is to stay indoors if at all possible so as to avoid a road accident. However, that may not be realistic if you have a compelling enough reason to brave the blizzard. If you’re crazy and/or desperate enough to face Winter Storm Jonas this weekend, here are a few driving safety tips to keep in mind first: Address vehicle service alerts such as oil and filter changes. Any driving and performance issues you experience now may get exacerbated if left unattended, and that’s doubly true in cases like Winter Storm Jonas. If you receive a service alert or experience any nagging issues with your vehicle, take it in to be examined by reputable service technicians in your area as soon as possible. Regular service checkups are also recommended as a precautionary measure. It may save you money down the line, not to mention avoidable frustration if your vehicle breaks down in the cold and snow. Check the battery and charging system to prevent internal freezing. Cold weather can be especially hard on car batteries. If you left your car out in the extreme cold of Winter Storm Jonas for an extended period of time, the battery may freeze and cause cracks to form in the casing. It will also take more effort to produce less power from your car’s engine. In cases where the battery is stalled after several days of idling, you might turn off accessories (like the heating/cooling unit and the radio) that can divert power from the engine. You can also rev up your vehicle for several minutes in order to let the engine heat up. If the car battery were damaged beyond repair, the best course of action would be to have it replaced. Make sure the cooling system is flushed and refilled. Along with regular service visits, consider adding a bottle of antifreeze or fuel de-icer to your car’s cooling system to prevent moisture from forming and then freezing in your fuel line. The recommended ratio of coolant to water should be about 50-50—while it may be tempting to think that more coolant equals greater effectiveness, the fact of the matter is that pouring unadulterated coolant to your system would be less able to transfer heat away from your engine. Experts recommend checking your coolant levels once before the summer and then again before the winter, although your mileage may vary (so to speak) depending your manufacturer. Remember: be sure to keep the radiator cap on until the engine has completely cooled! Take care of your windshield wipers. This may sound like a small thing, but a must-have item in the wintertime is quality windshield wipers. To better face Winter Storm Jonas, you may want to install winter wipers so that ice doesn’t form on your windshield. The term “winter wipers” is apt given that winter is the appropriate season for them; if you were to use them during the summer, they’ll unnecessarily tax your engine power. Have your tires looked at and replaced if necessary. Snow tires are a requirement if you live in the East Coast and have to deal with weather conditions like Winter Storm Jonas on a regular basis. Tire tread depth is a particularly important consideration when driving on icy roads. Also, keep in mind that tire pressure can drop significantly once the weather gets colder and should therefore be checked on a regular basis. To thine own car be true. Much like snowflakes, every car is different—at least, once we get our hands on them. You likely know how your car handles as well, if not better, than the service professionals. With that in mind, don’t put your vehicle through conditions you know it cannot handle. If you have to drive through Winter Storm Jonas this weekend, adopt a “do no harm” mantra and have your first-aid kit handy in case of emergency. Other than that, stay warm and stay safe! Image Credit: YouTube