fall/winter tips

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In the Bay Area we don't see much snow but we do get wet and icy conditions. Driving in the rain can be a safety challenge. According to the National Safety Council, losing control of a vehicle is avoidable by following these preventive measures.

• Prevent skids by driving slowly and carefully, especially on curves. Steer and brake with a light touch. When slowing or stopping, don't brake hard or lock the wheels and risk a skid. Maintain mild pressure on the brake pedal.
  
  
• If the car begins to skid, remain calm, ease off the gas pedal and carefully steer in the direction you want the front of the car to go. For cars without anti-lock brakes, avoid using the brakes. This procedure, known as "steering into the skid," will bring the back end of the car in line with the front. If the car has anti-lock brakes, brake firmly as you "steer into the skid."

• Hydroplaning
  • Hydroplaning is the result of your tires moving fast across a wet surface - so fast that they do not have time to channel that moisture away from the center of the tire. The result is that the tire is lifted by the water away from the road and all traction is lost.
  • To avoid hydroplaning, keep tires properly inflated, maintain good tread and replace them when necessary. Slow down when roads are wet and stay away from puddles. Try to drive in the tire tracks left by the cars in front of you.
  • If the car is hydroplaning, don't brake or turn suddenly. This could cause the car to skid. Ease off of the gas pedal until the car slows and you can feel the road again. If you need to brake, do it gently with light pumping actions. If the car has anti-lock brakes, then brake normally; the car's computer will mimic a pumping action, when necessary.
    
    
• Anti-Lock Brakes: Do not pump the brake pedal in a car with ABS. The ABS system will prevent the wheels from locking, so pumping the brakes will just make you take longer to stop. In an emergency stop, apply the brake pedal firmly and hold it while the ABS does all the work. Don't let off the brake if you feel a pulsing in the pedal that may be quite violent, because this is normal. Cars equipped with anti-lock brakes really do stop faster. It may be a good idea to test how they work to experience the strong pulsing before you are in an emergency situation.


• Cruise Control: Driving at high speeds on wet or icy pavement with the cruise control engaged could make it more difficult for the driver to regain control of the vehicle if it hydroplanes (skids) and therefore it is not recommended.
  


• Black ice is defined as ice that remains on roadways out of the direct sunlight. Black ice is almost invisible to the naked eye. Be especially leery when driving your car into shaded areas, and slow your vehicle down during your approach.

Good advice in wet or icy weather is to "Take it slow. Don't drive any faster than the speed at which you're willing to hit a brick wall." For a free brochure with winter maintenance tips, send a self-addressed, stamped business-sized envelope to: ASE Winter Brochure, Dept. CD, 101 Blue Seal Drive, SE, Suite 101, Leesburg, VA 20175.

For a Dependable Motor Vehicle
visit us in the Redwood Auto Care Center
Across the street from the Skyview Drive-In

2335 Soquel Drive
Santa Cruz CA 95065
831-462-4436
Monday-Friday/8:00 am-5:00 pm