Stay prepared: Arctic blast brings frigid temps, creating new driving hazards
RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- As temperatures plummet during the day and drop even further at night, this Arctic blast isn’t just making your morning commute chilly—it’s also causing challenges for your car. From icy windshields to falling tire pressure and frozen wipers, drivers are facing all kinds of hazards on the roads. Driving in these conditions requires more than just slowing down. Experts emphasize the importance of ensuring your car is prepared for snow, ice and other cold-weather challenges. "We've not seen a lot of snow over the past few years; but over the past couple of weeks, we've seen snow, rain, and freezing rain," Morgan Dean, AAA's Mid-Atlantic spokesperson, explained. "Drivers need to know that's the cycle we're in, and they need to focus on what the roads look like and what they can do to drive safer." The cold can impact key components of your car, including the battery and tires. "Once it hits 32 degrees, a battery loses about 30 to 35 percent of its starting power, even though it needs more power than it would on a milder day," Dean said. "The cold morning and then warmer afternoons we see expansion and compression inside those tires; They may not be pumped up to the right pressure because of that." To combat these challenges, experts recommend a few simple steps: Warm up your car briefly. Dean says only four to five minutes is needed. Any longer isn’t necessary, and if you’re in a garage, be sure to open the door to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning. Keep an emergency kit in your car. This can be a lifesaver if your vehicle breaks down. Include essentials like jumper cables, a toolkit, hats, gloves, water, food, a flashlight, an ice scraper and a snow brush. For added traction in snowy conditions, kitty litter or sand can be placed under the tires. Monitor your fuel tank. It's recommended keeping at least half a tank of gas at all times to avoid freezing fuel lines or running out of gas in an emergency. You should always keep your windshield clear and check your tire pressure regularly. Winter weather can be unpredictable, but with proper preparation, you can navigate the challenges safely.
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RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- As temperatures plummet during the day and drop even further at night, this Arctic blast isn’t just making your morning commute chilly—it’s also causing challenges for your car. From icy windshields to falling tire pressure and frozen wipers, drivers are facing all kinds of hazards on the roads.
Driving in these conditions requires more than just slowing down. Experts emphasize the importance of ensuring your car is prepared for snow, ice and other cold-weather challenges.
"We've not seen a lot of snow over the past few years; but over the past couple of weeks, we've seen snow, rain, and freezing rain," Morgan Dean, AAA's Mid-Atlantic spokesperson, explained. "Drivers need to know that's the cycle we're in, and they need to focus on what the roads look like and what they can do to drive safer."
The cold can impact key components of your car, including the battery and tires.
"Once it hits 32 degrees, a battery loses about 30 to 35 percent of its starting power, even though it needs more power than it would on a milder day," Dean said. "The cold morning and then warmer afternoons we see expansion and compression inside those tires; They may not be pumped up to the right pressure because of that."
To combat these challenges, experts recommend a few simple steps:
- Warm up your car briefly. Dean says only four to five minutes is needed. Any longer isn’t necessary, and if you’re in a garage, be sure to open the door to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.
- Keep an emergency kit in your car. This can be a lifesaver if your vehicle breaks down. Include essentials like jumper cables, a toolkit, hats, gloves, water, food, a flashlight, an ice scraper and a snow brush. For added traction in snowy conditions, kitty litter or sand can be placed under the tires.
- Monitor your fuel tank. It's recommended keeping at least half a tank of gas at all times to avoid freezing fuel lines or running out of gas in an emergency.
You should always keep your windshield clear and check your tire pressure regularly.
Winter weather can be unpredictable, but with proper preparation, you can navigate the challenges safely.
