With old man winter bearing down upon us, it’s a good idea to brush up on the common sense rules for safe winter driving and heed these car safety guidelines for dealing with winter road emergencies.

1. Prepare your car for winter before wet, cold or icy weather strikes by performing a complete vehicle check-up. Your auto tech will tell you that winter conditions present the greatest challenge to your vehicle’s operating efficiency.
2. Check your tires frequently for proper inflation. If your vehicle owner’s manual does not specify, then ask your automotive technician about the proper inflation level. 
3. Keep a Winter Driving Kit in your vehicle and stock it with: a bag of sand, salt or kitty litter; ice scraper; paper towels; shovel; snow brush; warning flares; window-washing fluid; a flash light; booster cables; a blanket; extra gloves; and a cellular phone. You’ll have the peace of mind that comes from knowing you’re prepared for an emergency.
4. Move your vehicle into the open to let it warm up so that you avoid exhaust build-up in your garage.
5. Make it a practice to keep your fuel tank at least half-full – both to prevent gas-line freeze and to ensure that you won’t likely run out of fuel in an emergency.
6. Whenever possible, avoid driving in bad weather; but if you must drive, try to be well rested and wait until snow plows and sand trucks have cleared the roads.
7. When driving on wet, snowy or icy roads, avoid using cruise control or overdrive.  Both detract from your full control of the vehicle in possible slippery conditions.
8. Use your seat belt and make sure that your seat and mirrors are properly adjusted for best visibility.  Wear sunglasses to reduce glare.
9. Don’t use your parking brake in cold or inclement weather, if at all possible.
10. If you experience skidding on slippery roads, always take your foot off the gas pedal and steer in the direction you want to go to recover from the skid.

The key to safe winter driving is to plan ahead, know your vehicle and adapt to the weather and road conditions.