Winter Driving Tips

Driving around South Elgin and Schaumburg during the winter months can be quite a challenge for many drivers. Slick Palatine roads and colder temperatures can wreak havoc on your brand new or pre-owned Mazda. Winter driving safety should be paramount for anyone getting behind the wheel this season. Fortunately, our winter driving tips can help. Ensure your winter driving safety with the advice outlined below so that you can travel with complete confidence even when Elgin road conditions are less than ideal. 

How to Increase Winter Driving Safety 

Following our winter driving tips for navigating in the snow can help you maximize your safety on the roads of Palatine and beyond. Some rules of thumb include:

• Stay home if possible. Avoid driving unless it is completely necessary to do so. 
• One of the most important tips for driving in snow is to drive slowly. Snowy roads lead to less traction, so it is crucial to adjust your speed to meet the needs of the road. 
• Increase your following distance. Approximately 8–10 seconds is recommended. 
• Don’t power up when driving on hills, as wheel spin is often the result.
• Avoid using cruise control. 
• Make sure your tank of gas is full, or your vehicle is completely charged. 
• Keep a bag of sand or cat litter in your vehicle. Tossing some sand or litter under the drive tires should help if your vehicle is stuck on a slick patch of pavement. Straighten the wheels before accelerating slowly. 

Winter Car Maintenance

The winter driving tips mentioned above will certainly help you drive as safely as possible around town. However, it is also important to make sure your vehicle is adequately prepared for winter:

• Test your battery: Battery power often drops during cold weather.  
• Check tire pressure: Tire pressure can also decrease when temperatures drop. 
• Swap out wiper fluid: Replace your current wiper fluid with a wiper fluid that is rated for -30 degrees.
• Inspect wiper blades: Replace worn or damaged wiper blades. 
• Opt for winter tires if you can: We recommend winter tires, but if you plan to keep your all-season tires year-round, make sure that the tread depth is more than 2/32 of an inch. 

Winter is Coming and Biggers Mazda Can Help

After reading our winter driving tips, are you ready to get your Mazda in tip-top shape? Visit our service center or parts department today to take care of whatever you need. Our team is standing by to get your car or SUV ready for the chilly months to come.