It’s November, and winter is beginning to arrive. Temperatures are dropping, and some parts of Indiana have already received snow. So, as a driver, it’s important to start preparing yourself and your vehicle.

Below are three things to do:

Examine your tires

With cold temperatures being recorded, the air inside your vehicle’s tires is contracting, taking up less space. This results in decreased tire pressure. Thus, you need to examine your tires to ensure they are properly inflated. You should also check your tire tread to determine if you need a replacement. Or you can consider winter tires for better traction.

Other things to confirm that they are in good condition are your car’s lights, windshield wipers, and battery. Further, ensure you have enough coolant to prevent water in the engine from freezing or your engine from overheating.  You also need to keep your fuel tank full to avoid condensation and have enough fuel whenever caught in heavy traffic. 

 Slow down

When transitioning to winter, drivers should start slowing down. This is because roads are becoming slippery. Therefore, a car’s stopping distance is increased. Slowing down and increasing the safe following distance ensures a driver has enough time and space to react safely to sudden changes. 

Have an emergency kit

Keep an emergency kit in your car, including items like a shovel, flashlight, blanket, first-aid kit, phone charger, a set of jumper cables, water and perishable food.

A driver who is not prepared when winter conditions are present can cause an accident. For instance, one who does not slow down on a slippery road or whose engine fails because of overheating. If you have been injured in such a circumstance, you can hold the other driver responsible for their action or inaction.