winterizing a car in S. Illinois

winterizing a car in S. Illinois

As Dad myself, I commend you for giving this some thought, but believe the most important aspect of winter driving has been neglected. Experience.

Drive slow. Real slow on the white stuff. Very light on the gas and brakes. Un-imaginably light. Prepare to stop 3-5x the distance you normally would. Ideally, the first time she wanders out on the ice or snow she really doesn't need to go anywhere so she doesn't feel pressured to make time and can take it easy. If she's not comfortable she can just stay home.

The only car related item I can think of would be a new set of Michelins.

Southern Illinois barely has winter btw. Only in spurts.

Steve

As stated - good tires. Depending on the kind of car (rear wheel drive), maybe a couple bags of sand in the trunk. And a small shovel, tow strap, jumper cables, a blanket or sleeping bag, and a $100 bill hidden just in case. Plus a roll of duct tape.

Also a good ice scraper and good wiper blades. Don't forget to keep the window cleaner reservoir full of the right kind of fluid (no water). Oh yea, and an extra key duct taped on the back of the license plate, or some secret place.

My 50 yrs in MI taught me those are stock items.

Also as stated - drive slow and assume the other guy is an idiot. Just because the speed limit is 45 doesn't mean drive that speed, so slow down and give yourself lots of room. One thing I did when my kids became driving age is take them to an empty icy covered parking lot and teach them how to do donuts. Not for fun, but how to react when your car starts spinning - because it will at some point.

Good luck

winterizing a car in S. Illinois

A new set of Michelins 6 months ago. I already explained driving but you don't understand it until you experience it.

Make sure the tires have good tread. At the first snowfall or icing, go to an empty parking lot and practice starts, stops, and sudden turns (skid recovery). The feel for the vehicle behavior is the most valuable preparation.

It probably is a front wheel drive car, which is good. If a rear-wheel drive (e.g. pickup truck) put some weight in the back. Four-wheel drive is ok, but overrated because it gives you more "go power" with no more "stop power" than any other vehicle, and stopping is usually the important part.

Leave lots of space ahead of you and slow down a long way before you would on dry pavement.

And watch out for those other people who don't have their winter reflexes yet.

Practice, practice, practice. One other thing. She will be surrounded by drivers who have been through it all and know just what they can and cannot do. That does not mean she can keep up with them. Tell her to just get out of the way sometimes and let the overly-confident people clear out.

I wouldn't worry too much about it. I grew up around them parts - mostly about a 2 hour drive north of Carbondale but I was born not terrible far from there.
It ain't no big deal.

The driving advice already given is sound. I was amazed when I moved down here to GA and saw how they can't drive in that evil white stuff. My girlfriend at the time was from north Ohio so we were used to it. We would go out and drive around all over. Crazy me was doing j-turns, power slides and all other manner of stunt-man driving crap. She was laughing the whole time. I did a super cool power slide right into our driveway and she was saying how fun that was. I was feeling all spunky saying "wanna go one more time around the block?" Sure! Game on! There wasn't another car on the road that night so we had it to ourselves. Yeah, it was one of those "here hold my beer and watch this" moments. I miss her and those times.
E

Carry kitty litter for traction, in a waterproof container. Until you know what to look for, sand chosen at random will be too fine and damp, so when you try to use it it will probably be frozen solid, and if not, it won't work because it isn't gritty enough.

Also, the first storm, stay home. Even the locals need a day to remember how to drive in winter, and you don't want to be in their way while they're trying to remember how to do it.

winterizing a car in S. Illinois

Don't forget to change the engine oil to the recommended weight for winter. Usually 5 or 10W. Consult your owners manual.

How good is the battery?

> Four-wheel drive is ok, but overrated because it gives you more "go power" with no more "stop power" than any other vehicle, and stopping is usually the important part.

Smart man. People like to brag about their 4-wheel drive. I can make anything with good tires go, it's the stopping I worry about.

All great advice. There is one thing I would add. Tell her to never hit her brakes as she crests a hill. I grew up in West Virginia and moved to Georgia after high school. Every time the roads would freeze, I could pick a spot at the crest of any hill and watch as inexperienced winter drivers would crest the hill, hit their brakes and end up in the ditch on the side of the road, one right after the other. Many times, there would be 3 or 4 cars in the same ditch very close to one another, often hitting the car in the ditch in front of them.

best tip is to find that empty lot and practice... gotta learn the feel of turning INTO the slide and how to NOT stomp on the brakes. haven't lived in northern Illinois for many years, but I figure all those skills are still in there somewhere.

Kitty Litter and a good cell phone are critical. Flares too, to let someone know you're there in the ditch.

andy