Much of the damage of Winter Storm Jonas may be behind us, but that doesn't mean the roads in Baltimore will soon be in tip-top shape. As you prepare for the week ahead, we encourage you to review the following winter driving safety tips to ensure that your commutes are cautious and safe.
Winter driving is a challenge every year, but following Winter Storm Jonas, the roads in Baltimore are sure to be icier and more dangerous than even the most skilled winter drivers are used to. The fact of the matter is that you can never be too careful when it comes to travel, so use these suggestions to keep your 2016 Volkswagen Golf securely on Baltimore roads.
· Never warm up your car in an enclosed area (garage). Rather, use your driveway or another open area.
· Always keep your gas tank at least half full to prevent the gas line from freezing.
· Ensure that your tires are properly inflated before hitting the road.
· Do not utilize cruise control on slippery surfaces, such as icy roads.
· Do not use your parking brake in cold or snowy weather.
· Be sure to look and steer where you intend your car to go.
· When driving through snow, be careful to accelerate, decelerate and drive slowly as a means of maintaining traction and preventing skids.
· Refrain from powering or stopping on your way up a hill. Applying extra gas on your way up a hill could cause your wheels to spin, and stopping puts you in jeopardy of not reaching the top. To properly approach a hill in icy conditions, be sure to gain inertia on a flat roadway beforehand and allow that movement to carry you upward. When you reach the top, reduce your speed and travel downhill as slowly as you can.
· Increase your driving distance from three or four seconds behind other vehicles to eight or 10 to ensure that you have more space and time to prevent collisions.
· Do not drive when you are fatigued to lower the risk of danger, and be certain to put on your seat belt every time you travel.
As always, drivers are encouraged to visit the Russel Volkswagen Service Center to investigate and correct any concerns they may have with their vehicles this winter.