With winter weather already starting in some of our mountain states, it’s a good time to establish a Winter Preparedness Plan to review safety tips and recommended vehicle maintenance.

Understanding what winter road conditions you could encounter is an important step in being prepared, as is making sure your vehicle is ready for winter extremes.

Winter Preparedness Plan

Winter Road Conditions – Know Before You Go

Expect icy conditions any time the outside air temperature reaches 40 degrees F or lower.

Although water freezes at 32 degrees F, road surfaces can freeze when the air temperature drops to 40 degrees or less. Bridges and raised highways are most susceptible to this condition. 

Elevated surfaces are more exposed to the wind and cool off faster than the rest of the road. Also be prepared for icy conditions on roads through shaded areas where a cold wind and lack of solar melting can freeze a wet road surface.

• White Ice is snow that has been compacted during the day, has slightly melted and will freeze at night. Usually this white ice can be seen on the road. When traveling on white ice, drive very slowly. If you cannot find a place to park until conditions improve, install tire chains for better traction.
• Black ice is clear water that has frozen on black pavement, usually forming below overpasses, on bridges, and in areas that are surrounded by landscape or on a source of water running across pavement. Black ice commonly occurs in low, shaded areas and/or when the road surface starts to freeze at night. You usually cannot see or feel this ice until the vehicle is already on it. You may not expect a patch of ice because you’ve been driving on dry, clear pavement. It may be an area where melting snow or a roadside spring caused water to run onto the road and freeze. If you are not aware that the water has frozen, you could lose control and the vehicle could skid. The general rule is to do as little as possible and allow the car to pass over the ice. Do not hit the brakes, and try to keep the steering wheel straight.
• Wet road conditions can be as dangerous as icy conditions, with hydroplaning being the worst outcome. Hydroplaning happens when your tires have lost all traction with the road. If you’re in the middle of a curve, you will feel the vehicle take a big, sudden step towards the shoulder. How can you recover once you start to hydroplane? If your tire condition and speed are both sensible, you’ll generally be able to ride out a hydroplaning event for the couple of seconds it takes to reach a section of the road without standing water. Until you regain traction, you really have no control, so the best course of action is not to panic.

Winter Vehicle Maintenance

Ensuring your vehicle is in optimal condition is critical going into winter. Have your vehicle checked thoroughly for needed repairs, stock your vehicle with supplies, and plan for travel disruption. 

• Battery – Temperature changes can dramatically alter battery life and dependability. As the temperature drops, so does battery power.
  • Check your battery for sufficient voltage and tight battery cable connections. 
  • Inspect the charging system and belts.
• Cooling System – When coolant freezes, it expands and the expansion can potentially damage the vehicle’s engine block.
  • Make sure you have enough coolant in your vehicle and that it is designed to withstand the winter temperatures.
  • Check the cooling system for leaks.
• Tires – Tire pressure drops as the temperature drops. Properly inflated tires ensure optimum tire performance and optimum vehicle driving range.
  • Check your tire pressure regularly.
  • Check your tread depth and wear patterns; traction in icy conditions is decreased with worn tires.
• Windshield – Make sure your wipers and defroster are working properly.
  • Replace worn windshield wipers.
  • Refill the windshield washer reservoir as needed with high-quality, “no-freeze” washer fluid. 

Stay safe and warm on the roads this winter!

Renee Paul

Renee Paul is vice president of BizCHOICE Transportation, a division of Specialty Program Group, LLC. Renee has been instrumental in creating contract carrier insurance programs for the Heavy Bulk Last Mile Delivery segment of the transportation industry. She also has experience integrating a variety of technology solutions with insurance offerings to promote safety and compliance across transportation networks and logistics companies. Renee earned a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Business Management and Administration from Humboldt State University, and is a licensed broker in Accident, Life and Health, Property and Casualty and Surplus Lines.