AAA Chicago Provides Tips to Weather a Winter Storm

Tips for Driving on Snow and Ice

AURORA, Ill., Nov. 30 -- Severe weather can be both frightening and dangerous for automobile travel. Extreme cold temperatures make vehicles more likely to breakdown if proper maintenance has not been performed, and heavy snow falls and icy road conditions can lead to vehicles sliding off the road and becoming stuck in the snow.

"If your vehicle becomes stuck and you are stranded, don't panic," says Robert Kaczor, assistant vice president for automotive services. "By remaining calm, a stranded motorist can think more clearly about how to respond to the situation."

AAA predicts that this November and December, more than 100,000 stranded motorists will call its roadside assistance customer service centers for vehicle extrication services. In 2004, AAA responded to 90,463 calls for the same service.

To keep drivers from becoming one of these statistics, AAA Chicago recommends the following tips before hitting the roadway:

  -- Watch weather reports prior to any long-distance drive or before
     driving in isolated areas. Delay trips when especially bad weather is
     expected. If you must leave, let others know your route, destination
     and estimated time of arrival.
  -- Keep at least half a tank of gasoline in your vehicle at all times.
  -- Pack a cellular telephone with the telephone number of your motor club,
     plus blankets, gloves, boots, hats, food, water and any needed
     medication in your vehicle.
  -- If you become snowbound, stay with your vehicle. It provides excellent
     temporary shelter and makes it easier for rescuers to locate you. Don't
     try to walk in a severe storm. It is easy to loose sight of your
     vehicle in blowing snow and become lost.
  -- Tie a brightly colored cloth to the antenna or place a cloth at the top
     of a rolled up window to signal distress. At night, keep the dome light
     on if possible. It only uses a small amount of electricity and will
     make it easier for rescuers to find you.
  -- Make sure the exhaust pipe is not clogged with snow, ice or mud. A
     blocked exhaust could cause deadly carbon monoxide gas to leak into the
     passenger compartment with the engine running.
  -- Use whatever is available to insulate your body from the cold. This
     could include placing floor mats, newspapers or paper maps between
     yourself and your clothing.
  -- Run the engine and heater just long enough to remove the chill and to
     conserve gasoline.

If you must drive while road conditions are snowy or icy, here are tips for a safer drive:

  -- Familiarize yourself with your vehicle's braking system. Your owner's
     manual will provide information about your braking system. Find out
     which type of brakes your vehicle uses and then follow the safety steps
     below:
     -- Anti-lock braking systems (ABS) offer significant advantages on
        slick roads, if used correctly. To operate ABS effectively,
        motorists should apply steady pressure to the brake pedal during the
        entire stop. ABS will automatically pump the brakes. Apply brake
        pressure, if necessary, keeping the wheels from locking. Never pump
        ABS brakes. Apply steady pressure until you come to a complete stop.
     -- If you don't have ABS, you should gently apply and release pressure
        to your brakes, without locking the brakes. Do not apply steady
        pressure to your brakes. Standing on your brakes will cause wheel
        lock, and may result in your car spinning out of control.

  -- Always maintain adequate distance from vehicles in front of you. The
     distance needed to stop on ice is twice as long as that you would need
     to brake under normal driving circumstances. You should keep up to an
     eight-second following distance behind the vehicle in front of you.

  -- Recognize Danger Zones.
     -- Intersections - Slow down before reaching an intersection. Scan all
        directions for cars and pedestrians. If you're having trouble, they
        most likely are too. After a stop, accelerate slowly to get moving
        again.
     -- Hills - When approaching an icy hill pick a path that will allow the
        most traction. Head for unpacked snow or powder where you'll get a
        better grip. Build speed gradually before reaching the hill.
     -- Curves - Reduce speed before entering a curve. Any sudden
        acceleration or deceleration while turning may cause a skid.
        Controlled speed, and smooth steering will help prevent wheels from
        skidding on a turn. If tires lose their grip, release pressure from
        accelerator, stay off the brake and turn your front wheels to the
        direction you want to travel.

  -- Getting out of a sticky situation. The simplest thing to remember when
     extricating a vehicle from snow and ice is to use finesse rather than
     power. Hard acceleration is likely to worsen the situation by causing
     the tires to dig the car deeper into the snow. AAA Chicago recommends
     first clearing snow away from the tires. To improve traction, spread
     sand, cat litter or some kind of abrasive material around the drive
     wheels. Then, shift the car into low gear and slowly apply pressure to
     the accelerator.

  -- Watch for black ice on the roads. Black ice commonly forms on roads
     that wind around lakes and rivers, in tunnels, on overpasses and in
     highly shaded, rural areas. Black ice is almost invisible to the naked
     eye. Be especially cautious when driving your car into shaded areas,
     and slow your vehicle down during your approach. If you are approaching
     a patch of ice, brake during your approach. Applying pressure to your
     brakes while on ice will only throw you into a skid.