Winter Comfort Warning to Drivers with Simple Precautions
Ilkay Kalkan, the President of Ankara Auto Gallery Association (ANODER), warned the drivers of the vehicles before the approaching winter season and listed what needs to be done.
Pointing out that some more special precautions are required for driving in winter due to reasons such as wet and icy roads, length of dark hours, poor visibility due to snow, rain and fog, İlkay Kalkan said, “If you do not prepare yourself and your vehicle properly, it is very difficult to drive in bad weather conditions. is more difficult. "If you follow some simple recommendations, you will be prepared and safe from the problems of winter driving."
Kalkan listed the pre-winter checklist recommended for all types of motor vehicles in preparation for the winter conditions as follows: “Winter tires with unworn treads should be used for grip and traction on the road.
Radiator and heater hoses must be in good condition, free of cracks and leak-proof.
Fan belts should be checked.
The heater should work perfectly for your comfort and to demist the windshield and melt the ice.
It's a good idea to start the winter with a new pair of windshield wipers.
Have an ice scraper and a brush for snow shoveling in your vehicle.
Use additives (anti-freeze) so that the coolant does not freeze in winter.
Use windshield washer fluid that will not freeze and keep the water full at all times.
Check all vehicle fluids, including brake fluid and steering gear oil.
Make sure your battery is in good condition to start your vehicle in cold weather.
Examine all the lights; high and low beam headlights, parking lights, tail and brake lights.
Check the braking system to ensure that all wheels are equally braking.
Inspect the muffler and exhaust systems to ensure there are no leaks. For occupants of motor vehicles, carbon monoxide poisoning is a deadly hazard.
Lubrication should be suitable for use at low temperatures. This also applies to the fifth tyre.”
Recommending to have a winter life kit especially for long-distance trips to uninhabited areas, Kalkan said, “This includes matches and candles, a parka and a sleeping bag or emergency blanket, food, first aid kit, protective glasses and booster cables, preventing the freezing of gasoline. additive, diesel additive for diesel vehicles, wrench set for simple repairs, spare fan belt and radiator hose, spare spark plug set and spark plug wire.” said.
SAFE DRIVING IN WINTER CONDITIONS
Some of the suggestions of Ankara Car Dealers Association (ANODER) President Ilkay Kalkan to help safer driving in winter conditions are as follows: “Learn the road and weather forecast in advance.
Clean the windshield and other windows using an anti-fog solution.
Clear the snow from the vehicle without moving.
Allow enough time to arrive at your destination. Rushing in difficult driving conditions can cause an accident.
Always be vigilant. Do not drive if you are under the influence of alcohol, drugs or a certain treatment. Read the drug inserts and find out if they can cause drowsiness. You have to concentrate all your attention while driving.
Calm down. Other drivers are sometimes frustrated by the heavy flow of traffic. Don't let them anger you; Control your nerves.
Maintain a safe speed and always drive cautiously.
Keep a safe distance between yourself and other vehicles. On dry roads and in ideal conditions, you need to double the mileage in winter.
Drive at low speed while driving and increase the safety distance to the vehicle ahead if the road is wet or icy. Braking, steering, accelerating, decelerating and shifting gears should be slow and smooth.
Keep your vehicle well maintained and in good working order. This means that the treads are not worn, the engine is tuned for the winter and all the lights are working properly. In colder climates, an additive (anti-freeze) should be added to the radiator to prevent the water from freezing. In some regions, it may be necessary to add an additive to the gasoline to prevent freezing.
Good vision is essential for safe driving. Before moving your vehicle, clear your windows and headlights of snow or ice and repeat this process repeatedly throughout the journey.
Drive your vehicle as road conditions allow. The permissible speed limit may be too high for winter conditions. Driving on a wet road can create a thin layer of water between the tires and the road surface, creating a water table that causes the vehicle to skid.
If you start to lose steering control, take your foot off the accelerator pedal.
Strong and icy winds mixed with snow and dust can create an environment where you cannot tell where you are going. In this situation, usually the safest course of action is to sit in your vehicle and wait for the storm to pass.
Plan your moves carefully. Do not suddenly press the brakes to the bottom by panicking on slippery roads. If you do this, you will most likely slip and lose control of your vehicle. In such cases, gently pump the brake pedal several times.”
ATTENTION TO HIDDEN ICE
Pointing out that the most dangerous aspect of driving in winter conditions is hidden icing, ANODER President İlkay Kalkan said, “Transparent ice is a thin and invisible frost layer formed on the road pavement. It usually occurs on the approach roads of bridges and in overpasses and shaded areas; however, care should be taken on all road surfaces in this regard.
Hidden ice or transparent ice grabs the driver suddenly, completely by surprise. If you learn to understand the road conditions well, you can avoid transparent ice accidents. Degrees just above and below freezing point, pavement appearing dark and dull, portions of the road shaded by trees or other obstructions, such as down the hill in the east-west direction, areas where the morning sun still cannot reach, bridges, overpasses, road, a lake The moist areas where it follows the banks of the river and the river bed, and the places where you have encountered transparent ice in the past, are areas where this danger can occur. It is useful to be extra careful in these areas."
Kalkan, listening to the radio and TV road reports carefully, asked to avoid traveling on transparent ice and said: “If you suspect such a road situation, drive slowly and be very careful. Avoid braking, accelerating, overtaking the vehicle in front and making sharp turns. In cases where you or other drivers have difficulty controlling their vehicle, leave the road as soon as is safe. Also, water on road surfaces that may have mixed with oil can be dangerous. Tires lose contact with the road surface and begin to slide on the water and oil mixture instead of the road. Winter conditions increase the risk in vehicle release. By taking our measures and minimizing this risk, we increase the safety of both ourselves and all vehicles in traffic.”
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