DRIVING IN WINTER

Vehicle Checks

Make sure your vehicle is ready before driving in winter weather. Make sure the cooling system is full and there is enough anti-freeze in the system to protect against freezing. This can be checked with a special coolant tester.

Defrosting and Heating Equipment.

Make sure the defrosters work. They are needed for safe driving. Make sure the heater is working and that you know how to operate it.

Wipers and Washers.

Make sure the windshield wiper blades are in good condition. Make sure the wiper blades press against the window hard enough to wipe the windshield clean. Otherwise they may not sweep off snow properly. Make sure the windshield washer works and there is washing fluid in the washer reservoir. If you can’t see well enough while driving (for example, if your wipers fail), stop safely and fix the problem.

Tires.

Make sure you have enough tread on your tires. The drive tires must provide traction to push the rig over wet pavement and through snow.

Exhaust System.

Exhaust system leaks are especially dangerous when cab ventilation may be poor (windows rolled up, etc.). Loose connections could permit poisonous carbon monoxide to leak into your vehicle. Carbon monoxide gas will cause you to be sleepy. In large enough amounts it can kill you. Check the exhaust system for loose parts and for sounds and signs of leaks.

Driving Slippery Surfaces.

Drive slowly and smoothly on slippery roads.

If it is very slippery you shouldn’t drive at all.

Stop at the first safe place.

The following are some safety guidelines:

• Start gently and slowly. When first starting, get the feel of the road. Don’t hurry.

• Adjust turning and braking to conditions. Make turns as gentle as possible. Don’t brake any harder than necessary,

• Adjust speed to conditions. Don’t pass slower vehicles unless necessary. Go slow and watch far enough ahead to keep a steady speed. Avoid having to slow down and speed up. Take curves at slower speeds and don’t brake while in curves. Be aware that as the temperature rises to the point where icebegins to melt, the road becomes even more slippery. Slow down more.

• Adjust space to conditions. Don’t drive alongside other vehicles. Keep a longer following distance. When you see a traffic jam ahead, slow down or stop to wait for it to clear.

Try hard to anticipate stops early and slow down gradually.

• Wet Brakes. When driving in heavy rain or deep standing water, your brakes will get wet. Water in the brakes can cause the brakes to be weak, to apply unevenly, or to grab. This can cause lack of braking power, wheel lockups, pulling to one side or the other, and jackknife if you pull a trailer. Avoid driving through deep puddles or flowing water if possible.

If not, you should:

• Slow down

• Place transmission in a low gear.

• Gently put on the brakes. This presses linings against brake drums or discs and keeps mud, silt, sand, and water from getting in. • Increase engine RPM and cross the water while keeping light pressure on the brakes.

• When out of the water, maintain light pressure on the brakes for a short distance to heat them up and dry them out.

• Make a test stop when safe to do so. Check behind to make sure no one is following, then apply the brakes to be sure they work right.

If not, dry out further as described above. (CAUTION: Do not apply too much brake pressure and accelerator at the same time or you can overheat brake drums and linings.)

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