Driving On The Ice
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Driving On The Ice

Author: LARRY PHILLIPS
Learn Must-Know Steps Before Going Into A Slide This Winter
KEEP THE GAS TANK AT LEAST HALF FULL
When the cold winds of winter blow, you need to keep your gas tank full. Why? Well for starters it prevents condensation from freezing up and clogging the line - imagine being stranded with no heat! That is not all: a full tank can also be used as warmth in an emergency situation - so take care this time of year that you always have enough fuel.
CHECK YOUR TIRES FOR GOOD TRACTION 
Did you know that in the winter, if your car's tires do not have good traction on ice, it can be difficult to stop? If your tire does not grip the road and skids on ice, you could lose control of your vehicle and cause an accident. Make sure that all four of your tires have treads that will work well in snow and ice so you can avoid accidents this winter season. Wash tires using a degreaser to remove dirt from between treads, which helps get better traction when driving over icy surfaces.
TURN ON YOUR HEADLIGHTS
Drive with care, it might be raining, and the roads might have ice on them. Make sure to turn on your headlights when you drive in low light conditions so that you can see the road better. If possible, avoid driving during these types of weather but if you do make sure to use your headlights. It will not only increase your visibility, it will make you more visible to other drivers.
DRIVE SLOWLY AND CAUTIOUSLY
It is never safe to drive distracted, If you're going to be driving on ice, make sure you drive slowly and cautiously. The faster you go the more likely your vehicle is to skid out of control. It is important for people who are already driving in a snowstorm or those who are about to embark on a long journey that they give themselves plenty of time after getting their car ready before hitting the road.
Always remember when driving during icy conditions it is better if your tires winter tires and have good tread on them so that they can grip onto whatever surface there is below them. Additionally, keep an eye out for yellow lights as they might indicate something slippery such as black ice which could cause your vehicle to slide uncontrollably off the side of the road.
BRAKING A VEHICLE WHILE SLIDING ON THE ICE
If you start to slide on ice, do not slam your brakes—gently apply pressure to grip the ice. This will keep you in control of your car and prevent swerving or skidding. What is more, it will save wear and tear on both the tires and brakes that can be caused by slamming them when they're not needed. If you know there is ice on the road ahead, slow down gradually before exiting a driveway or parking lot to give yourself time to adjust for slippery conditions. You should also turn off cruise control if possible so that you have extra reaction time in case of emergency braking situations.
If you have ice on the road, driving in close proximity to other cars can make it hard to stop. Make sure there is at adequate distance between your car and any cars around you so that you have time to stop if necessary. A safe distance If someone tries to merge into your lane, do not panic or swerve out of their way because it could cause an accident. Just slow down until the driver passes by and then speed up again as soon as they are safely behind you!
AVOID HYDROPLANING
Hydroplaning is when a layer of water builds up to the point where it covers the entire surface of your tires. It occurs when there is too much water on the road for your tires to disperse and a wedge of water forms in front of the tires and the car begins to ride upon that wave losing contact with the road. The driver then loosed control of the vehicle.
Hydroplaning can lead to accidents. It is most common on wet or icy roads, which are currently an issue in many parts of the country. To prevent hydroplaning from occurring, avoid hard braking do not apply too much pressure to the gas pedal and avoid changing lanes abruptly- this will help keep you safe on these slick conditions!
STOPPING DISTANCES
If you have ice on the road, driving near other cars can make it hard to stop. Make sure there is at least three feet between your car and any cars around you so that you have time to stop if necessary. If someone tries to merge into your lane, do not panic or swerve out of their way because it could cause an accident. Just slow down until the driver passes by and then speed up again as soon as they are safely behind you! Keep an eye on other drivers to see how they are handling the ice and adjust accordingly.