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If you live in one of those Winter Wonderland states-the ones with the immaculate snowy mornings-you know well the dangerousness of icy roads, snow and slush, and the blinding reflections off the sheets of snow in the landscape. Sure, it makes for nice pictures, but winter is a nightmare for driving. Given that it also is the time when people drive around the most-because of the holidays-it is worth making sure your car and your insurance are up to the task.

Preparing Your Vehicle:

10 Tips These tips will make sure your car survives the driving conditions and the cold of snowy winters.

1. Get Snow Tires Snow tires are a costly investment (around $500 for a set), but in the northern and mountain states, they are necessary. This video will convince you.

2. Clean and flush your heating/cooling system. And put in some antifreeze.

3. Replace windshield wipers with ones designed for winter.

4. Check your breaks. You’ll need them.

5. Fill the spare tire with air.

6. Make sure your battery will stand up to the cold. Get a new one is necessary. ***Make sure you have jumper cables.***

7. Keep sunglasses and a shovel in the vehicle in case you are buried somewhere. A thermal blanket is an essential emergency item as well.

8. Keep your vehicle filled with gasoline/petrol and windshield fluid.

9. Check the radiator.

10. Fill the car with premium synthetic oil.

Adjust Your Driving: 5 Tips

1. You are going to need to drive more slowly in wintry conditions.

2. Put a couple extra car-lengths between you and the vehicle ahead of you.

3. Study your vehicle manual to see how to use ABS, Traction Control, and 4-Wheel Drive (4WD) if you have these features.

4. Learn how to handle a car that is slipping. There are specific techniques for driving in the snow. For instance, when sliding out, turn your tires in the direction that the vehicle is heading. This will allow you to regain traction.

5. Try to stop early before stop signs, yield signs, and red lights. You don’t want to spill out into an intersection. Readying Your Insurance: Essential Coverage It’s always important to make sure that your car insurance is up to date. There are some special coverages that you might want to consider.

1. Uninsured Motorist coverage This covers you in the event of a hit-and-run. Hit-and-runs are a lot more common in the winter because cars slip and bump all the time. People panic-they just can’t afford to pay for your damage and watch their premiums go up.

2. Comprehensive Collision coverage Big collisions are a problem in winter because of ice and snow. However, it is sometimes difficult to determine who is at fault. With Comprehensive Collision coverage, you need not worry about the at-fault driver.

3. Comprehensive Other Than Collision coverage The chances of hitting a tree, a mailbox, or even a building are very high in winter. Unless you have Comprehensive Other Than Collision coverage on your auto insurance policy, you will have to pay out of pocket. There are even some winter driving courses that you could take. Defensive driving courses and winter driving courses make for cheap car insurance

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Unless there are major changes in the world’s climate, those of you living in the southern states can enjoy the same warm to hot weather all year round. The reality for those of us living in the northern hemisphere is there are four seasons so, as we pass out of Fall, let us anticipate the arrival of Winter with a few words of gentle warning. It is a sad fact that, as the first snows fall, the number of traffic accidents caused by the weather shoot up. Poor driving conditions pose challenges that many vehicle owners fail to meet. The winter period of December through February brings the highest number of seasonal claims in any year. The first day of snow or icy conditions catches everyone unprepared. The perfect driver would always have the vehicle go through a maintenance check to ensure everything is ready for the stresses and strains of winter driving. The first item on the checklist is tuning the engine to maximize the chances of it starting at low temperatures. It then moves through tests of braking efficiency to steering to the tires – there is enough tread to maintain grip on icy roads, is there not? Except, somehow, our priorities never seem to include this precautionary maintenance and we find our vision limited by sleet and snow, or the vehicles failing to stop, or moving in unexpected directions as the ice forms under our wheels. Even the most experienced of drivers can be caught out. Of course, as the winter weather continues, we remember all our survival techniques and the number of accidents falls. But in that first few days, it can be murder on the roads. Why should you care?

Well, if you drive an older vehicle on the minimum liability cover, you simply accumulate more honorable scars in the battle and patch up the rest that cannot be ignored. Those of you with collision and comprehensive cover need to minimize the number of claims you make to avoid the premiums rising sharply. That means a few simple rules. The first is the obvious, “Do not drive unless it is necessary”. Staying at home with your vehicle in the garage (or parked off the road) whenever possible is the safest action during the first days of snow. Fit snow tires if the weather looks set in for a few days, and new windshield wipers will help you see where you are going. Program the numbers of your repair shop and a towing company into your cell phone so you can call for help. You should also put together an emergency kit so that, if you are caught in an accident at night, you can stay warm and safe until help arrives. Then, it’s just a case of defensive driving. Allow extra braking distances, keep a safe distance behind the vehicle in front of you and drive more slowly. With these few simple rules in mind, you should be able to avoid accidents and keep your auto insurance company happy. If you are looking for auto insurance quotes at this time of year as an inexperienced driver or you are relocating from the warm south to the cold north, expect to see higher premiums quoted. Everyone needs time to adjust to road conditions when the weather is poor.

Unless you retreat into a cave to sleep through the winter, you cannot have missed one of the most recorded Christmas songs of all time. Every mall in the country plays “Winter Wonderland”, usually the Bing Crosby and not the Ozzy Osbourne version, until you wish it was Spring. The myth of happy white Christmases is completely misleading. Unlike the southern states where the only problem is the dazzling sunshine, the northern states experience the annual covering of their roads with ice, sleet and snow, closely followed by the misery of melting slush then freezing over as the next cold front moves in. Trying to drive safely on the roads at this time is a nightmare. Nobody is ever prepared. Somehow, there is a mass amnesia as we all forget those defensive driving skills. That way, when the first snow falls, we can all panic as we move sideways across the road, pumping at the brake pedal without any effect. Talk to an insurance company at this time of year brings depressing news. The number of claims arising from traffic accidents rise by nearly 40% in December through February. There is a spike on the first days of real snow in each area and people suddenly remember all the things they forgot.

So what should you do to prepare for this annual festival of destruction on the roads. Well, the first and most basic rule of all is simple. If the journey is not essential, do not make it. The safest place on the first days of winter is in the safety of your own home with your vehicle safely parked off the road. Remember, if you have your vehicle parked on the street, it is a target for any other driver to crash into. Leave it with your friendly mechanic and take the chance for a few maintenance chores. If the snow looks set in, fit snow tires. If not, then have all-season tires with good treads to maximize the grip on the roads and carry chains with you. To improve visibility in sleet and snow, you need new windshield wipers. Have the brakes and steering checked, and retune the engine to give the best chance of it starting in the lower temperatures — there’s nothing worse than being stuck with a vehicle that will not start. Finally, pack an emergency kit and keep it in the vehicle. That way, if the worst happens, you can keep warm and warn other drivers away from you with hazard flares until help arrives. Ah yes.

To speed the arrival of help, program the numbers of tow truck companies and garages in your area so you can be rescued. Membership of one of the clubs like AAA can offer good rates on emergency roadside assistance. And you should care because, with collision and comprehensive coverage in place on your newish vehicle, the auto insurance company is not going to sit quietly if you suddenly file a number of claims this winter. Your premium rates will rise. When it comes to getting auto insurance quotes, the rates will also be higher than you expect if you are an inexperienced driver or moving from a state where it is summer all year round to one with four seasons. Everyone has to learn how to drive safely in snow.

Winter is here and where I live, in Finland, we have just had our first snow with many drivers navigating icy roads on plain summer tires. I was doing a 50 mile trip yesterday, mostly on small rural roads where the snow is not yet spoiled by salt and heavy traffic, and I thought to myself: It’s not really that dangerous or difficult to drive on slippery roads as long as you know what to do and when. You just have to adopt a different driving style and you’ll be as safe as on dry summer roads. The danger is when you apply a summer driving style to winter roads.

Rule #1: Slow Down

Don’t expect to reach the same speeds on a winter road as you do in the summer. Plan you trip to take longer and if you drive long hours in dark, limited visibility conditions up north plan some more stops to rest. Continue reading ‘Driving During Winter – 7 Tips That Keeps You on the Road’ »

Winter is approaching and here in North Texas we see our share of cold weather. Nothing like many of our northern states but nonetheless, cold. The two greatest enemies of transmissions are the extreme cold and extreme heat, both of which we see. When the cold weather arrives it affects the transmission seals by contracting and creating internal and external leaks. While external leaks are visible internal leaks are not and will cause pressure loss that can cause shifting problems and/or internal damage.

It is vital that you keep an eye for external leaks, but you’ll need to bring your vehicle to 2 J’s automotive to get it thoroughly checked inside and out. The sooner you catch a problem the cheaper it will be to fix it. The longer a leak goes without being fixed the more damage it can cause to your transmission and ultimately will end up costing you more money to repair the problem.

The best way to prevent leaks is to change your transmission fluid at the manufactures recommended time frame. This usually falls between 30,000-40,000 mile range. This is also a great way to check the pan for any metal that might be an indication of transmission failure. At 2J’s Automotive we usually recommended a simple and cost efficient pan drop, fluid, filter, and gasket change over the more costly transmission flush. Continue reading ‘Take Care of Your Car and it Will Take Care of You’ »

Tires are a big purchase, and one of the least researched items that people buy. Perhaps it’s due to a plethora of confusing industry speak or perhaps the industry has done little to convince consumers of the advancements that have been made over the years, but typical consumers choose based on the recommendations of the local tire shop or price alone.

If you’re reading this, you are among the few who have an interest in selecting the right winter tires for your vehicle. Surprisingly, there is little cost difference between the cheapest tire a shop can offer you and a high-quality tire ordered online. The only difference is a little know-how. Continue reading ‘Choosing Proper Winter Tires’ »

Here are 2 cars you may consider and a run down of some of their features;

Volvo S80

The Volvo S80 is a great car to choose and has quite an array of cold weather features that come as standard. These include traction control, front and rear fog lights and rain sensing windshield wipers (which need no manual adjustment). Rear window defrosters with a timer are very useful for when the temperature plummets and you need to clear condensation or ice from your windows.

As well as the standard features there are also optional extras you can choose when you purchase the Volvo S80. These extras include heated front and rear seats which can come in very handy if you are stuck in traffic on the way home from work when it is minus four degrees outside. However you should consider the extras carefully as these add to the overall cost of the car. Continue reading ‘Best Cars For the Winter’ »

Winter driving can be challenging enough without having someone tell you to drive in reverse, but that’s exactly what I’m going to recommend for rare situations when driving forwards with front wheel drive just doesn’t cut it.

Admittedly, the idea of driving backwards is a bit odd, but in special circumstances it works better with a front wheel drive vehicle than going forward. The special circumstances are deep snow and going uphill.

For those of us who live with a steep and long driveway, it can be challenging to make it uphill in deep snow, even with front wheel drive. Going backwards with a front wheel drive vehicle can help overcome the difficulty. Here’s why:

* Your drive wheels are lower, so gravity shifts more weight on them for better traction.
* You have to drive more slowly to maintain control of direction, and that tends to promote traction instead of wheel spinning.
* The front wheels of the car are now on compacted snow (thanks to the rear wheels) instead of loose snow, so that provides added traction. Continue reading ‘Winter Driving Tip – Go Backwards With Front Wheel Drive’ »

Here are 2 cars you may consider and a run down of some of their features;

Volvo S80

The Volvo S80 is a great car to choose and has quite an array of cold weather features that come as standard. These include traction control, front and rear fog lights and rain sensing windshield wipers (which need no manual adjustment). Rear window defrosters with a timer are very useful for when the temperature plummets and you need to clear condensation or ice from your windows.

As well as the standard features there are also optional extras you can choose when you purchase the Volvo S80. These extras include heated front and rear seats which can come in very handy if you are stuck in traffic on the way home from work when it is minus four degrees outside. However you should consider the extras carefully as these add to the overall cost of the car. Continue reading ‘Best Cars For the Winter’ »

Whenever driving a long distance especially on a motorway you need to be fully alert and prepared to deal with anything out of the ordinary such as long queues or adverse weather conditions. These are just two of the factors which will affect your driving and if you aren’t paying attention then you could have an accident.

Driving long distance can put considerable strain on your car. It’s important to not only have breakdown cover but also to carry a small kit of ‘emergency supplies’ on board. This should contain a few things to keep you warm and nourished if stranded whilst waiting for assistance.

A blanket and warm clothing such as a coat are vital. If the weather is particularly cold, you shouldn’t rely on your car’s heaters as your battery may run flat. Small items of high energy food are also recommended as well as drinks to keep you hydrated.

Even though there are emergency phones dotted along the motorways you may be a few miles away from the nearest one so having a fully charged mobile phone is another good idea. Make sure you have any important numbers such as your breakdown cover provider stored in your phone so you can easily dial them (just in case you don’t have the relevant documents stored in your car). Continue reading ‘Keep a Long Distance Driving Kit in Your Car This Winter’ »