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I have a little confession to make….driving in bad weather TERRIFIES me. Maybe it stems from a slide off I had when I was 9 months pregnant and it was icy out…who knows. Since I am afraid to driving around in bad weather and I have a LOT of years of experience…that makes me even more fearful for my teenage daughter to drive in bad weather. She commutes back and forth to high school and I know there may be days this winter when the roads could be treacherous. I want her to be prepared. I have come up with 7 ways to prepare your teen for winter weather driving. These tips could make all the difference!
7 Ways to Prepare Your Teen for Winter Weather Driving
Have Supplies in the Vehicle
I remember very clearly getting off work one day years ago and realizing that it had started sleeting. It was early in the year for that kind of weather and guess what…I wasn't prepared. There was NO ice scraper, no gloves, etc. in my car. I had to sit in my car for a long time so it could warm up enough to melt the ice on my windshield.
My goal is to prepare my teen for winter weather driving a little bit better than I have prepared myself sometimes, LOL. Talk to your teen about what kind of supplies they need to keep in the vehicle in the winter. Some items that come in handy in Kansas are:
- a good quality ice scraper with a brush on one end
- nice thick gloves
- de-icer spray
- blanket
- a few snacks and bottled water
- keep a car first aid kit in the trunk
Keep Good Tires on the Vehicle
My daughter does a lot of driving. We decided that we wanted her car to have tires that could handle all the crazy Kansas weather. The new Goodyear® Assurance® WeatherReady™ Tires at Sam's Club were the perfect option for us. (this tire only fits certain vehicles)
I feel confident that my daughter will make it home safely even when the weather changes unpredictably like it always does in Kansas. The 3D TredLock® Technology Blades are a real asset because they provide predictable traction in turns when the weather changes. Goodyear has other all-weather tires, but this new tire is their best!!
Teach Your Teen How to Drive in Bad Weather
Driving in heavy rain, sleet or snow requires some different skills than driving in optimal conditions. It takes practice to get good at it and someday I hope I am as good as my dad!! Some tips to help your teen know what to do in bad conditions will help.
- Remind them to accelerate and decelerate slowly
- Slow down when driving in bad conditions
- Increase your following distance to at least 8 to 10 seconds
Keep Gas in the Car
I don't like pumping gas and am notorious for putting it off until I am driving on fumes. 🙁 Nevertheless, I am trying to teach my daughter to keep her tank at least half full. Driving in winter weather can slow you down a lot and it is no fun to run out of gas when it is freezing outside.
Don't Use Cruise Control on Any Slippery Surface
I only learned that you shouldn't use cruise control on any slippery surface a few years ago. It was a real wake-up call and I realized I had been doing something really unsafe for most of my adult life.
Cruise control shouldn't be used on wet, iced or sandy roads. This tip could prevent an accident from hydroplaning.
Never Warm Up Your Car in an Enclosed Garage
Carbon monoxide poisoning is probably not on the mind of many teenagers. A little lesson about how carbon monoxide poisoning works and a reminder to never sit in your vehicle and warm it up inside an enclosed garage is a good idea.
If your teen were to get stranded due to bad weather they also need to know to check the exhaust pipe and make sure it isn't clogged with snow or ice. Trying to stay warm on the side of the road inside your vehicle is another dangerous scenario that could lead to carbon monoxide poisoning.
Stay Home
Teens need to learn how to watch the weather reports. Help your teen put a weather alert app on their phone so they know if there is bad weather coming.
Sometimes staying home is the best option. Some conditions are best avoided and staying home and watching a snow day movie will be more fun anyway!
What Do You Teach Your Teen About Winter Weather Driving?
What are you best tips for teens driving in winter weather? Be sure to swing by Sam's Club to GET $80 OFF INSTANTLY* ON A SET OF FOUR GOODYEAR® TIRES.
This tire only fits certain vehicles. Check samsclub.com to find your tire size for your vehicle. You can also check the sidewall of your tires, your owner's manual, or a sticker on the driver-side door jamb of your vehicle.
*Save $80 off the displayed retail price. Excludes medium commercial truck tires. Not to be combined with any other offer. Offer can be changed, modified or cancelled at any time. No rain checks. See a Sam’s Club® Tire & Battery Center Associate for eligible tires, details, terms and conditions.
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