Follow Cold Weather Automobile Operation Recommendations - Good Chance It Can Prevent Accidents
If you check your car operation maintenance manual, you will note that certain lubricants and fluids are to be used in cold weather and tires should be inflated with different pressures. Also freeze protection and antifreeze solutions should be equal to the system protection requirements. It is important when operating your car in the winter that batteries are fully charged and the fuel tank is kept as close to full as possible in case you encounter a situation where you are stranded or stalled on the road. Additionally, steering response in cold weather can be difficult and if you have hydraulic steering, it may be very slow at startup or low temperatures and can cause an accident if you do not use the correct oil or fluid. You can always run the engine when first starting until it reaches operating temperature. Otherwise you may cause severe engine damage and definitely take life and value off of your vehicle.
In December, I was driving my car when all of a sudden due to a faulty fuel pump and a hydraulic steering issue, my car went dead and I skidded down a hill on black ice and into a fence, blocking a highway and becoming a sitting target for other vehicles on the icy road. I was completely unprepared for this situation as I was not dressed appropriately and after 2 1/2 hours of waiting for a tow, I was chilled to the bone. Therefore, I might also add, it is important to dress appropriately by wearing layers of warm clothing with proper ventilation. In the cold weather, always be careful when entering and exiting a vehicle as slip and falls are common. Also, clean your vehicle of snow to avoid the snow missile that could cause harm or injury to other vehicles on the road. At times of bad weather, we have to depend on each other for safe travel and our goal is to be safe every day.
The Philadelphia car accident lawyers at Reiff & Bily are committed to motorist safety. If you or a loved one has been involved in car accident, please feel free to contact one of our experienced Philadelphia car accident attorneys for a free no obligation consultation.
