Winter Driving Safety Tips in York, PA
The winter months bring additional challenges to your travels in York. Snow-covered streets are treacherous, and low temperatures put more strain on your GMC Terrain, Sierra 1500, or Acadia. Discover how to stay ready for this time of year with some winter driving safety tips from our team at Jack Giambalvo Buick GMC!
Make Adequate Travel Plans
The first step you can take to increase your driving safety during this time of year is to make sensible travel plans. For starters, you should leave earlier in the day to reach your destination, especially if you are departing when it’s dark out or if it is actively precipitating. Another way to make certain that you are setting yourself up for success is by having backup directions to your work, school, or home. If you often take Route 30 to work, it may be better to have a plan to drive on a road with a slower speed limit if it’s snowing. The on-board navigation or your smartphone’s applications can help plan alternative routes while also updating you about any snarled traffic in the region. Even if you need to take longer to reach your destination, it’s always better to get there safely.
Adding Emergency Supplies
Although some emergency scenarios may seem unrealistic in a city as populous as York, you should always pack your Buick or GMC with emergency items. For example, if you’re going to travel long distances at a time when a significant amount of snow is accumulating, it’s worth bringing along some food and water in case you get stuck on the highway. A collapsible shovel, gloves, and hand warmers are also worth adding to your storage compartment in case you get snowed in at a location and need to dig out or if you need to change a tire. You will also want to keep blankets and extra jackets in the car in the event that you get stranded. The chances that you’ll need these items are not very high, but it’s worth securing some emergency tools from our Parts Department in case.
Vehicle Preparation
Before you set out to the York Memorial Park Complex or begin your weekly series of commutes, you should make sure your Buick or GMC vehicle is ready. To do that, you need to maintain several facets of your vehicle. Begin by ensuring you have at least half a tank of gas at all times. That way, you can get to your destination and won’t be stuck waiting in a long line for gas if a winter storm is bearing down on the area. Also, take a look at your tire pressure monitoring system or use a gauge to manually obtain the current rating for every wheel position. Cold air can naturally decrease your tire pressure by up to 10 percent, and you want your tires to be properly inflated so they can give you the traction needed on the roads. Finally, have your battery inspected in early winter to ensure it has the capability to provide power to your car, so it starts your car every time without fail. Schedule a service appointment, and we can examine all these elements for you and give you more winter driving safety tips!
