Ohio Winter Driving Tips

Can you feel it in the air? The temperatures are starting to drop in , which means winter will be here before we know it—cue snow storms, ice-caked windshields, and slippery roads. If you’re not a fan of driving in the winter, you’re not alone. Fortunately, the team at Kempthorn Motors has some winter driving tips to make it more bearable.

Winter Driving Tips: Maintenance Checklist

Winter driving safety starts with a well-prepared vehicle. Explore our winter maintenance checklist below to see what services we recommend scheduling before the season starts:

• Install new winter tires
• Inspect brakes
• Monitor tire pressure
• Check the heating system
• Check coolant levels
• Get an oil change (if due)
• Get a battery inspection and replace if needed
• Get heavy-duty windshield wipers and freeze-resistant wiper fluid

Whether you need winter tires or a fresh set of windshield wipers, you can place an online order with our parts department.

Winter Driving Safety Tips

Driving in the winter poses some significant challenges, but you can be prepared with these winter driving safety tips:

• Leave Room Ahead of You: Your stopping distance increases on snowy and icy roads, so leave plenty of room between your vehicle and the driver in front of you. Aim for a following distance of five to six seconds.
• Gently Accelerate and Decelerate: Rapid acceleration on icy roads causes skidding, so press the gas pedal slowly to regain traction. If you have a non-ABS (Automatic Braking System) vehicle, gently pump the brakes to come to a stop, and give yourself plenty of time to do so.
• Let the Engine Warm Up: After starting your car, give the engine some time to warm up before you start your commute to .
• Keep a Full Tank: Keep your gas tank at least half full in the winter so you can run your vehicle to stay warm if you’re stranded somewhere. While you wait for help, it is imperative that you keep the exhaust pipe clear of snow so poisonous gasses don’t leak into the vehicle.
• Make an Emergency Kit: Keep a winter kit in your vehicle with a shovel, flashlight, jumper cables, snow shovel, ice scraper, cell phone charger, water, food, and any other important items you may need in an emergency.
• Check the Weather: Monitor the weather following your route. If conditions are severe,
• Follow Ohio Driving Laws: If you’re caught in a snowstorm and need to turn on your windshield wipers, Ohio law requires you to turn on your headlights.

Get More Winter Driving Tips from Kempthorn Motors

The team at Kempthorn Motors is here to help you navigate winter road conditions confidently. We have service centers in multiple locations, so schedule your maintenance appointment today. Looking for more winter driving tips? Feel free to contact us.