5 tips for driving in cold conditions

(NC) Whether we like it or not, winter is here. For most of us, this season comes with colder temperatures, extreme weather and unexpected driving conditions. It is important to be prepared for winter driving to help keep yourself and others safe. Here are some tips to keep in mind when you are on the road.

Slow down and give yourself extra travel time

This may seem obvious, but it’s a good reminder. Plan ahead and check the road conditions before you leave, then take the extra time you need to get to your destination safely. And when driving in poor weather, make sure your four-way hazard lights are on to help other drivers see you.

Try to avoid sudden braking

You should always try to brake in a straight line - especially before a turn - and do so gradually. Avoid heavy braking while completing a turn. Increase your following distance from other cars significantly. If your wheels lock and slide, release the brake pedal to recover traction, then slowly brake again.

Use winter tires

It’s proven that driving with four winter tires reduces your risk of collision by providing better traction on road surfaces in winter conditions. A set of winter tires such as the Michelin X-Ice Snow tires, provide the necessary trac- tion to overcome winter conditions like snow, ice and slush for better performance and safety.

Clear snow and ice from your vehicle

To ensure maximum visibility, clear your vehicle of all ice or snow, and wait for the windows to clear of any fog or ice before you head out.

Go back to basics

Always drive with two hands on the steering wheel and try to avoid changing lanes in slush. When you can’t avoid it, plan your lane change in advance and turn the wheel slowly and gradually so you approach the slush at a shallow angle. This will help minimize the force against the side of the tires. Find more information at michelin.ca.

How To improve your car's gas mileage

Here are some of the things you can do to ensure improved gas mileage for your car: Driving Habits

Consolidate your daily trips and errands. This will also save you the cost of restarting your engine, which uses a lot of gas.

Avoid air conditioning when possible. However, when driving at higher speeds, having your windows open also creates drag.

Don't throttle the gas or brake pedal! Sudden starts or stops use more gas than gradual changes in speed.

Don't idle for too long. Turn off the engine if you anticipate a lengthy wait.

Limit car warm-ups in winter.

Clear out the trunk. More weight equals more drag.

Avoid high speeds. We know this is almost impossible to resist but you can improve your gas mileage by up to 15 percent driving at 55 mph rather than 65 mph.

Use overdrive. If your car is equipped with overdrive gearing use it as soon as your speed is high enough.

Use cruise control. Maintaining a constant speed is ideal for improving your gas mileage. Servicing Your Vehicle

Replace the spark plugs in your engine regularly. This way, the air and fuel mixture will burn cleaner and more efficiently.

Improve the intake/output system. By allowing gas to get in and exhaust to get out of your vehicle you will improve the vehicle's overall performance and gas mileage.

Reduce friction. Use high-quality or synthetic motor oil. Check your oil! Low oil makes your engine work harder.

Change your filters. Dirty filters can sometimes increase the amount of fuel your vehicle uses by as much as 10 percent.

Keep tires properly inflated and aligned. Check regularly to ensure your tires are fully inflated and your alignment is good.

Get regular engine tune-ups and car maintenance checks. A lot can go wrong with a car. Damaged spark plugs or transmission problems can also contribute to poor gas mileage.