Winter Driving Tips

Winter is upon us, and you know what that means: Rain, snow, sleet, ice, cold temperatures and unforgiving roads. Here are a few winter driving tips to help you stay safe on the streets and highways during the cold season.

Let it snow

If you're heading up to snow country or if you live in an area that gets freezing temperatures, be absolutely sure your brakes, battery, wipers, defroster and heater are all in working order. Check your antifreeze regularly to ensure you have the right amount in the reservoir. If snow begins to fall, visibility could become an issue should ice build up on your windshield. Special windshield washer fluids are available to keep this from happening, and they can likely be found at your local auto parts store.

Get in tune

Before you hit the road to grandma's house–or even to the corner store–you'll want to make sure your car is in tip-top condition. So pay a visit to your Mitsubishi dealer and ask him to make absolutely sure your hoses, belts, and electrical wiring are in perfect working order. And don't forget to check your tire pressure as well. Believe it or not, tire pressure drops by approximately one pound per ten degrees of temperature. So when the mercury drops significantly–as it does in the winter–your tires could become dangerously under-inflated, which could loosen your vehicle's grip on the road. Especially in the snow.

Fill 'er up

Did you know that your gas line has a better chance of freezing up if your tank is running on empty? True story. We recommend keeping the gas gauge above the halfway point at all times in winter to avoid depriving your engine of fuel at the worst possible time. And remember, when there's no gas to keep the engine running your car will no longer be able to provide heat, and that could be a problem in cold winter weather

Know your vehicle

It goes without saying that every vehicle is different, and each one has its own way of handling cold weather situations out on the road. When the streets become icy or piled high with snow, it's important to understand what your car can and cannot do. Does it have all-wheel control (as many Mitsubishis do)? How about active stability control or anti-lock brakes? Each of these technologies affects your car's relationship with the road, and it's important to understand the degree to which they do. Every Mitsubishi vehicle comes standard with active stability control and an anti-lock brake system. Furthermore, both Lancer and Outlander are available with versions of our world-class All-Wheel Control (AWC) system, which can help you stay in control of your drive in almost any road condition. If you are not in a Mitsubishi-equipped with AWC and you plan to navigate slick and icy roads, we recommend adding a sand bag in your rear compartment to increase traction between the road and your tires for winter conditions.

Slow down

Don't let time be of the essence. Drive deliberately. Allow for more travel time to get from A to B. The top highway speed might be safe in the springtime, but in icy and snowy conditions, stopping distances are much longer and vehicles have a far looser grip on the road. Avoid stopping suddenly and making quick changes in direction. Keep more distance between you and the vehicle in front of you. Remember: The drivers in front, behind and to each side of you have less command of their vehicles than they do when the road isn't covered with ice and snow. If they get too close, you may not be able to avoid them should they lose control. So do your best to keep your distance.