The holiday season is an exciting time of year – but all that excitement can impact your safety on the road. Not only are you fighting the holiday crowds, but you also have bad weather and spotty road conditions working against you. Keep yourself safe this winter by following these six smart driving tips.
Stay Alert
Check your mirrors frequently and remember to look up at the road ahead, beyond the car in front of you. A periodic look-up lowers the chances you’ll be caught off-guard by stopped cars ahead.
Keep Your Patience
If you find yourself stuck in traffic, stay calm and take a deep breath. Resist the urge to switch lanes quickly and speed around slower cars. Take stock of the entire situation before you take action.
Drive slow and steady
The faster you drive, the more wind resistance your vehicle faces. Higher wind resistance creates a greater chance you’ll lose control of your vehicle. You should also avoid accelerating and decelerating rapidly. There are three reasons for this. It’s bad for your fuel economy, strains your brakes, and worst of all, puts you at risk of getting rear-ended.
Keep your engine healthy
The easiest way to keep your engine healthy is to pay attention to warning lights on your dashboard and unusual noises. If you suspect a problem, don’t put off the visit to Knudtsen Chevrolet’s auto repair facility. This procrastination could create a bigger, more expensive problem. If you don’t know whether your car needs service, call the Knudtsen Chevrolet service team at (208) 215-3092 and we’ll help you troubleshoot.
Make sure your fluids are flowing
As the seasons change, so should the type of fluids you put in your engine. Make sure you have the right type of oil and antifreeze to keep your car running smoothly. Thinner oil is recommended in colder temperatures because it flows faster and is less likely to clog up. As well, a 50/50 mix of water and antifreeze for your radiator in cold temperatures helps prevent wear and corrosion. If you haven’t had your cooling system flushed in a while, visit Knudtsen.com for a special coupon on winterizing your heating and cooling system. The winterizing service coupon is valid through the end of January, 2014.
Another thing to check is your windshield wiper fluid. Don’t underestimate the importance of wiper fluid — it’s crucial for good vision while driving.
Plan ahead
Remember to get your car serviced on a regular basis to keep it performing consistently. Your car is designed to have routine maintenance checks, so overlooking them will impact your car’s reliability. Plus, if you wait until your car breaks down, you’ll regret not having brought the car in for its regular service and inspection.
Do you have any holiday driving tips to share? Leave a comment and let us know!
Knudtsen Chevrolet, a community fixture since 1939, sells new Chevrolets, GM Certified pre-owned vehicles and used cars of all makes and models. Residents of Coeur d’Alene, Hayden, Post Falls and Spokane rely on Knudtsen Chevrolet’s trained sales and service staff to provide reliable advice on buying, selling and servicing their cars. For more information, visit Knudtsen.com or call us at (208) 664-8107.
Knudtsen Chevrolet of Post Falls - Serving Coeur d’ Alene and Spokane 