ERIE, Pa., Oct. 29, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Fall is in
full swing, and winter is soon to follow. Once the weather
conditions change, your driving behavior may need to change as
well. Lowering your speed and maintaining a safe distance between
vehicles is a start – but there's much more to consider.
Vehicle maintenance provides another safety layer, so Erie
Insurance talked with experts in the field to get their best
winter car maintenance advice.
- Tires: Make sure your tires are in good condition each
winter. If they don't have the appropriate tread – typically 6/32".
The trick: insert a penny into your tires tread. If all of
Lincoln's head is showing, your
tires may need replaced. Tires with low tread may lose contact with
the road, which can cause your car to hydroplane and possibly cause
an accident. If you need new tires, make them a
priority before snow and slush become a permanent
fixture on the roadways. Consider snow tires if you
travel in snow frequently.
- Wipers: Check the condition of the wipers on your
vehicle frequently. Torn wipers can cause major visibility issues.
Most newer vehicles come equipped with contour blades that have a
metal band in them – making them more effective than traditional
blades, especially in the winter. If your car is an older model,
equipped with frame wipers (the traditional wiper blade), you can
easily swap out the rubber wiper for a replacement. There are
several types of blades to choose from, and sometimes it comes down
to preference.
- Winter windshield washer fluid: Winter washer fluid
tolerates much colder temperatures to prevent freezing. Try to use
up any warm-weather windshield washer fluid before temperatures
drop, since it may not be able to handle cold temperatures and
cause the washer fluid tank to freeze and crack. It's also
important to scan your windshield for any visible chips or
cracks.
"When the temperatures turn cold, those small chips and cracks can
turn into big problems," said James
Nelson, an ERIE material
damage supervisor in Charlotte, North
Carolina. "If you fix these small problems early, you can
prevent replacing the entire windshield when it spreads, which is a
much more expensive fix." Learn more about how to handle a
windshield repair or how (and when) to replace your
windshield wipers.
- Don't forget the basics: Take your vehicle
in for some routine scheduled maintenance – like oil changes and
tire checks. Be sure to replace dirty, worn cabin air filters and
engine air filters. Headlights make a big difference for
safety, too. "I wax my lamps year-round," Nelson said. "It
increases visibility of my vehicle to other drivers and
pedestrians, and allows me to see better when driving in severe
weather conditions."
- Clean windows and mirrors: Having full visibility helps
immensely when you need to keep your eyes on the road.
Keep advanced safety systems clear of snow and mud to
ensure cameras and sensors work correctly. A clean exterior keeps
your forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking and
other features your vehicle may use reading their surroundings
correctly.
- Alignment: Vehicles need correct alignment for advanced
safety systems to work correctly as well. Many advanced safety
systems use the steering angle sensor. An unaligned steering wheel
positions your camera incorrectly, because it's based off your car
going straight. A slight miscalculation could lead you many feet
off the road, so it's especially important to have it right when
conditions are difficult to navigate.
Remember to also protect yourself with the right auto insurance
to keep you and your vehicle safe this winter. Get a
free online auto quote and get connected with a local
ERIE agent in your area.
Erie Insurance Group
According to A.M. Best
Company, Erie Insurance Group, based in Erie,
Pennsylvania, is the
11th largest homeowners insurer and 12th
largest automobile insurer in the United States based on
direct premiums written and the 16th largest
property/casualty insurer in the United States based on
total lines net premium written. The Group, rated A+
(Superior) by A.M. Best Company, has more than 6 million
policies in force and operates in 12 states and the District
of Columbia. Erie Family Life
Insurance Company is rated A (Excellent) by A.M. Best Company. Life
insurance policies not written in New
York state. Erie Insurance Group is a FORTUNE 500
company.
News releases and more information about Erie Insurance
Group are available at www.erieinsurance.com.
View original content to download
multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/6-tips-for-safer-winter-driving-301163095.html
SOURCE Erie Insurance Group