Winter Driving Tips

The winter months are a lovely time in New Jersey. The tree covered snows and smell of fireplaces linger among every neighborhood. Unfortunately there is one major draw back, driving in snow and ice. The best advice is to not drive at all, if you can avoid it. If you can't here are some safe winter driving tips.

• Decrease your speed and make sure to leave extra space between you and the car between you.
• Brake slowly to avoid locking your wheels. If they do lock up, ease off the brakes.
• Keep your lights on in snowy conditions to increase your visibility to other drivers.
• If attempting a hill, make sure to put your car in a lower gear which increases traction.
• Do not use cruise control if you are on a highway.
• If your car has ABS brakes, which all new cars do, DO NOT pump your breaks. Instead apply steady pressure, the pumping you feel is normal and means the ABS is doing its job.
• It's not a good idea to pass plows and salt trucks. They have very limited visibility and the road ahead of them is probably in worse condition than the road behind them.
• Just because your car has four wheel drive, or all wheel drive, does not mean it can stop any better than other cars. Treat it the same as a car with front wheel, or rear wheel drive.

If your car is stuck:

• Do not spin your wheels, you are only digging yourself deeper and compacting the snow into ice.
• Turn your wheel side to side, this will push some snow away from your front tires.
• If you have a shovel, try removing the snow from the front and rear wheels.
• If you have any salt, sand, gravel, or even kitty litter in your car sprinkle it in the path of your tires. This will help you gain traction.

These tips will help you stay safe while driving in the winter conditions. These conditions are still unpredictable and treacherous. It's one of the most common times for minor car accidents that result in body damage. If this is the case it is a good idea to get in contact with a body shop professional. Bergen Brookside is an auto body repair shop in Hackensack that has years of experience and can assure your car is in like new condition ASAP.

Bergen Brookside Auto Body

83 Zabriskie St.
Hackensack, NJ 07601

201-342-8253