Winter Driving Tips for Seniors

Regardless of age, driving in winter weather requires proper vehicle preparation, as well as knowing how to drive in bad weather and what to do in emergency situations. For seniors, observing these winter driving tips is particularly important.

Vehicle Preparation

If you live in a climate that customarily brings cold, wintry weather and you depend on your car for transportation, you want to make sure it’s in top condition. That means performing or arranging for a maintenance check of the following items:

Headlights
Taillights
Battery
Windshield wipers
Wiper fluid levels
Antifreeze levels
Oil levels
Car heater and defroster
Tire pressures and tread depth
Exhaust system (for leaks)

Unless you are very familiar with all of these, a good practice to follow would be to take your vehicle to a service center — or the dealership where you purchased it — before the severe winter weather sets in.

You might also consider snow tires. Just make sure that you replace all four of your tires with snow tires — driving with a mix of snow and standard tires can cause handling problems. If you live in a remote area, you can even buy snow tires with studs.

Another option is all-season tires that you drive on year-round. The advantage of all-season tires is that you don’t have to change the tires before winter or keep two sets of rims. The disadvantage is that you don’t get the features of a specialized seasonal tire.

Another potential problem during extreme cold weather is car doors that freeze shut. You may have heard that some people pour warm water into the lock to melt the ice, but this is not a safe method because the water could potentially collect and freeze in the lock. Instead, you can purchase a car lock de-icer at an automotive or hardware store. Just don’t store it in your glove compartment. Always keep de-icing products in your purse or bag so that if the car door lock freezes while you are out of the house, you will have access to it.

Keep these emergency items in your car during the winter months so you are prepared for any situation:

Small toolkit
Sand or kitty litter to help car tires gain traction
Snow shovel*
Jumper cables
Ice scraper and brush
Blanket
Warm clothing
Water
Non-perishable food
Flashlight
Fully charged cell phone
Cell phone charger
Bonus tip: Keep your gas tank at least half full at all times

*Seniors should exercise caution when it comes to shoveling snow. It would also be a good idea to be a member of a roadside service organization, like AAA Roadside Assistance.

How to Drive in Poor Road Conditions

Driving in winter weather can be a challenge, especially during rush hour. It would be wise to avoid times of day when the roads are busier. Also, if possible, stick to driving on main roads and highways, as smaller back roads may not be plowed or treated.

Remember that bridges and overpasses ice up before other road surfaces, due to cold air moving under and around them. Pay attention to signs warning of icy conditions on these structures.

Travel with a companion to keep you awake and aware if you are driving in bad weather. You should also let a friend or family member know where you are going. Give them your cell phone number and make sure you have the phone numbers of several family members and friends saved in your phone in case you need to reach someone. If you become stuck in a dangerous situation on the road, however, call emergency services first!

Never warm up a vehicle in an enclosed space, as this can put you at risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. Always open up a garage before starting your vehicle in it.

Do not use cruise control while driving on any slippery surface. It’s best to maintain full control of the car in case it slides on ice or rain.

AAA provides some great winter driving tips for handling a vehicle in the winter, and best practices for long-distance winter road trips.

Tips for Driving in the Snow

Stay home. Only go out if necessary. Even if you can drive well in bad weather, it’s better to avoid taking unnecessary risks by venturing out.
Drive slowly. Always reduce your speed to account for lower traction when driving on snow or ice, or when roads are wet and may freeze.
Accelerate and decelerate slowly. Apply the gas slowly to regain traction and avoid skids. Don’t hurry, and take time to slow down for a stoplight. Remember, it takes longer to slow down on icy roads.
Increase your following distance to five to six seconds. This increased margin will provide the longer distance needed if you have to stop.
Know your brakes. Whether you have antilock brakes or not, keep the heel of your foot on the floor and use the ball of your foot to apply firm, steady pressure on the brake pedal.
Don’t stop if you can avoid it. There’s a big difference between starting to move from a full stop versus accelerating from a rolling start. If you can slow down enough to keep rolling until a traffic light changes, do it.
Don’t power up hills. Applying extra gas on snow-covered roads will just make your wheels spin. Try to get a little momentum going before you reach the hill and let that carry you to the top. As you reach the crest of the hill, reduce your speed and proceed downhill slowly.
Don’t stop going up a hill. There’s nothing worse than trying to get moving up a hill on an icy road. Get some momentum going on a flat roadway before you take on the hill.

Long-Distance Winter Driving Tips

Check the forecast: Check the weather along your route and if possible, delay your trip until the potential for bad weather has passed.
Stay Connected: Before hitting the road, notify others and let them know your route, destination and estimated time of arrival.
Stay with your vehicle if you get stuck in the snow. Your vehicle provides temporary shelter and makes it easier for rescuers to locate you. Do not try to walk in a severe storm. It’s easy to lose sight of your vehicle in blowing snow and become lost.
Don’t over exert yourself: When digging out your vehicle, listen to your body and stop if you become tired.
Be Visible: Tie a brightly colored cloth to the antenna of your vehicle or place a cloth at the top of a rolled-up window to signal distress. At night, keep the dome light on if possible. It only uses a small amount of electricity and will make it easier for rescuers to find you.
Clear the Exhaust Pipe: Make sure the exhaust pipe is not clogged with snow, ice or mud. A blocked exhaust pipe can cause deadly carbon monoxide gas to leak into the passenger compartment of the vehicle while the engine is running.
Stay Warm: Use whatever is available to insulate your body from the cold. This could include floor mats, newspapers or paper maps. Pre-pack blankets and heavy clothing to use in case of an emergency.
Conserve Fuel: If possible, only run the engine and heater long enough to remove the chill. This will help to conserve fuel if it looks like you will be stranded for a considerable amount of time.