dome light on if possible. It only uses a small amount of electricity
and will make it easier for rescuers to find you.
• Make sure the exhaust pipe isn’t clogged with snow, ice or mud. A
blocked exhaust could cause deadly carbon monoxide gas to leak
into the passenger compartment with the engine running.
• Use whatever is available to insulate your body from the cold. This
could include floor mats, newspapers or paper maps.
• If possible run the engine and heater just long enough to remove
the chill and to conserve gasoline.
Tips for driving in the snow:
• Accelerate and decelerate slowly. Applying the gas slowly to
accelerate is the best method for regaining traction and avoiding
skids. Don’t try to get moving in a hurry. And take time to slow
down for a stoplight. Remember, it takes longer to slow down on
icy roads.
• Drive slowly. Everything takes longer on snow-covered roads.
Accelerating, stopping and turning—nothing happens as quickly
as on dry pavement. Give yourself time to maneuver by driving
slowly.
• The normal dry-pavement following distance of three to four
seconds should be increased to eight to 10 seconds. This increased
margin of safety will provide the longer distance needed if you
have to stop.
• Know your brakes. If you have anti-lock brakes (ABS) and need to
slow down quickly, press hard on the pedal—it’s normal for the
pedal to vibrate a bit when the ABS is activated. In cars without
ABS, use “threshold” braking, keeping your heel on the
floorboard and using 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 in the
amount of inertia it takes to start moving from a full stop versus
how much it takes to get moving while still rolling. If you can slow
down enough to keep rolling until a traffic light changes, do it.
• Don’t power up hills. Applying extra