Kyle Hunt
The holidays brought a torrent of snow in Utah. For those who love the snow, this was a special boon that made the holidays more magical. For others, it was a true nightmare, instilling dread and panic on those who fear to traverse the white blanket. There is no need to panic, however, for there are ways to safely drive in the snow. Here are some things you can do:
When you’re driving in slick conditions, be sure it’s always slower than usual. You never know when you will happen on a sharp turn or an accident right in front of you, but if it does, give yourself room to hit the brakes, slowly. Many cars come with anti-lock brakes, a feature provided by Ford dealers in Utah, which help prevent sliding while braking.
Sometimes it’s annoying to go buy that gallon jug of blue stuff to dump into your vehicle, but it could save your life. De-icing agents help you see what’s going on in the blizzard. You will never regret it.
It is natural to impulsively hit the brakes or the accelerator when you start sliding, but this s dangerous. Remind yourself to rather apply no gas and no brake if you begin to slide, look in the direction you want to go, and turn the wheel toward that direction. Hitting the brakes will increase friction, causing you to slide even more.
Even a little snow can trap your car like the La Brea tar pits, but there is usually a way out. If you get stuck, don’t hit the gas right away because you’ll dig yourself in deeper. Try turning the wheels side-to-side to push snow out of the way. If someone else is with you, rock the vehicle up and down to gain traction. Keep a shovel in your car to dig some tracks.
Let’s face it, every car has trouble in the snow, but 4-wheel drives have the least amount of trouble. Buying a 4-wheel drive from a Ford dealer will help you be safer on the snowy road, but that doesn’t mean the above rules are no longer applicable to you. Be safe, be conscientious, we want you to safely navigate the snow.
Looking for a new or used Ford near Salt Lake City? Henry Day Ford offers a great selection of Ford vehicles and much more. Whether you're from West Valley City, Sandy, or Murray, visit us today for a test-drive or great Ford service!
