Driving in extreme temperatures can be dangerous for you and your vehicle. Extreme temperatures can be really tough on the road and on your vehicle. Whether you are in extreme heat or cold, you will need to make some preparations for your vehicle. Also, you will need to adjust your driving style. Learn more about how to drive in extremely cold weather.
How-to: Drive in Extremely Cold Weather- Driving Adjustments
Tires
Cold weather is not ideal for all types of tires. For example, you should not be driving on summer tires in temperatures under 45 degrees Fahrenheit. The material used in summer tires could actually crack in cold temperatures. A cracked tire could be very dangerous to drive on and end up blowing up, causing an accident. Swap out your summer tires if you are going to drive in extremely cold weather. If you are in a climate where temperatures will fall below 45 regularly, change your tires to either all-seasons or winter tires. In areas where there is a lot of snow, rain, or ice in the cold months, it is best to put winter tires on your car.
Battery
If it is going to be freezing cold, make sure your car has a fully charged and working battery. The battery is what turns the starter on the engine. The car will not move without it. Also, cold weather drains batteries quickly. Therefore, a battery that is already on the fritz will have a hard time if you plan to drive in extremely cold weather. This also applies to the batteries on electric cars. They will also drain quickly, leaving you with the possibility of running out of range far faster than expected. Do not let yourself run out of battery in the middle of the road, as this could lead to a bad accident.
Extra Preparations
If you are going to drive in extremely cold weather, always wear weather appropriate clothing. Bring extra clothes or blankets in your car as well. That way, if are in an accident, your car breaks down, or are stuck in traffic, you will have some extra layers for warmth. In fact, you can even buy some of the Hot Hands hand warmers to keep your hands and feet extra warm if you get stuck in the cold. Never leave home without a warm jacket if you are driving in cold weather.