WINTER DRIVING TIPS

BeaveRun MotorSports Complex 201 Penndale Road Wampum, PA 16157 www.beaverun.com

724.535.1000

IS YOUR VEHICLE READY?

• Know your vehicle. Read your Owner's Manual and winterize the following: – battery and lights – defroster and heater – motor oil – correct viscosity – wiper blades and treated windshield washer fluid – antifreeze – Cooling system (thermostat) – belts, hoses and filters – tire pressure – brakes and brake fluid – exhaust system

TIRES, TIRES, TIRES

• Four Winter Tires – Buy tires and rims • All Season, M & S are compromises • Long-wearing tires are too hard • Narrow & tall tires best for snow • Consider ice tires vs. snow tires • Consider minus sizing wheel/tire combination

CARRY ALONG!

Stock car with basic safety equipment and breakdown kit including: •emergency cash •scraper and brush •rags or paper towels •small shovel •jumper cables •tow strap •salt •traction mats •bag of cat litter for tire traction •road flares or reflectors •sunglasses •blanket •gloves •boots •warm clothing •flashlight •extra flashlight batteries •food •water •first-aid kit •cell phone charger •wind-up charger •non-perishable snack food

PREPARE TO GO!

• Full fuel tank • Full treated washer fluid • Check oil level • Check tire pressures • Clean windows and light lenses • Check cell phone and charger • Clean snow & ice from vehicle • Check weather and traffic advisory forecast • Back into garage/parking area

READY TO GO!

• Be sure wipers aren’t frozen to glass • Let vehicle warm up as you clean hood, roof, trunk, glass etc.

• Turn on rear window defroster • Recheck all lights, including turn signals • Turn on low beam headlights • Use seatbelts for all occupants • Clean out front of car

DRIVING TIPS

• Plan for time to reach destination • Don’t be overconfident with all-wheel or four-wheel drive • Slow down • Do not use cruise control • Keep distance in front and behind – 4-second rule • Keep distance when stopped • Look up; look ahead; watch lights • Use only smooth and precise inputs • Be aware of bridges and overpasses – shiny surfaces • Watch mirrors • Change lanes in clear areas • Test the surface • Practice

TRACTION TIPS

• Rear drive cars – weight over rear axle • If stuck, rock car gently. Do not spin in one place. Use traction mat or kitty litter if necessary • On hill, consider putting two wheels on edge of roadway • Use inertia • Use highest gear possible • If wheels start to spin on hill, ease off throttle, then resume speed • If rear wheels skid, turn steering wheel in direction of skid. LOOK WHERE YOU WANT THE VEHICLE TO GO • Consider turning traction control off

BRAKING TIPS

• Brake gently – use toes & keep heel on floor • Threshold braking • May use ABS if you have it • Plan ahead • Brake steadily on hill – may not be good to downshift • Brake on dry pavement if possible • Don’t brake hard on black ice • Don’t brake in turn – brake in straight line • Use defensive braking – flash brake lights

Brake Pressure Graph

YOU’RE IN A SKID!

• Above all, don’t panic • With rear wheel skid, look where you want to go and steer in that direction • Open steering in front wheel skid – Use SAW!

• Don’t brake or accelerate • Shift to neutral if possible • Declutch manual transmission

IF YOU’RE STUCK OR STRANDED

• Don’t panic • Put out reflectors or flares • Use four way flashers • Avoid over-exertion or over-exposure • Stay in vehicle if you can’t move it • Call law enforcement personnel • Make sure exhaust isn’t clogged • Keep warm – use clothes and blankets • Crack window if the vehicle is running • Don’t leave vehicle unless you can see destination • Don’t sleep (or take turns) • Watch for rescuers

WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN AN AVERAGE DRIVER AND A GOOD DRIVER?

• The average driver reacts to conditions and often ends up in a crisis • A good driver anticipates conditions and knows how to address them