Stuck in the snow? Tips to get out!

Stuck in Snow? These tips can help!

There is one thing I have learned about the seasons on the east coast: Never trust them!

Even though this has been a particularly soft winter for us, you never know when the next freak winter storm will hit and leave us all stranded in our homes. So in case we get another epic “snowpocalypse” this season, here are some tips to get your car on the road!

1) Check the tailpipe and dig excessive snow and ice

Before you start your car, check the tail pipe and clear out any snow that might be covering it to prevent deadly gases from building up inside the car.

After clearing the tailpipe make sure to dig away excessive snow and ice. Break up the ice immediately surrounding the tires. Obviously, if you have a shovel, you can dig out the snow. If a shovel isn’t available use a sharp object to break up the ice below the tires. Ice is slippery, so the extra ruggedness will provide traction. Make sure you take off big snow clumps that might prevent your car from going over it, and make sure you throw your extra snow in the opposite place f where you want to move your car (believe me, it happens to the best of us).

2) Sprinkle salt, sand, and/or cat litter.

Sprinkling some salt will help to melt the ice. Use rock salt if you can, but table salt will also work if you use a lot. Sand and cat litter don’t melt the ice but they will provide traction, so give them a shot.

3) Ride the brakes as you pull out

Usually the reason why the car won’t move is because one wheel will spin more than the other since the ice causes it to have less resistance. Pressing the brakes slightly will lower the tires spinning and also transfer power to the other wheel so that both wheels are working to pull you out of the snow. Be careful not to do this for too long, so the brakes don’t overheat.

4) Keep the wheels straight

In a sticking situation, it is easier to move your car if the wheels that are straight than if they are turned, so make sure to turn the steering wheel to straighten the front wheels as much as possible (Unless there are any obstacles on the road, of course).

5) Use a low gear as you pull out

This trick might take a little patience but will often times get you out. Try gently accelerating and reversing back and forth until the wheels start to slip. Keep repeating this step back and forth until you have enough room to pull your car out.

6) Leting a little air out of the tires increases traction

Make sure to only try this step if your tires have enough air to spare. Avoid it if you have no way of filling them back up.

7) Have front-wheel drive? Use it!

If you have a front-wheel drive vehicle and the wheels are spinning, turning the wheels in a different direction while accelerating slowly can give you the extra traction that you need to get out. Don’t go accelerate too much though or you will make it worst.

8) Put the floor mats in front of the driving tires.

This is definitely a last resort since the mats will most likely end up destroyed. Using the mats might give your tires the traction needed to get out. Make sure you put them in front of the vehicles driving tires (front tires for front wheel drive and vice versa).

Conclusion

While carrying a shovel or having tire chains can get you out of most snow pickles, we know that most of the times we don’t have them handy when we need them. So in case we get any last minute snow this season, keep these tips handy!

Have any other ways to get your car out of a snow pickle? Let us know!

How To Prevent Road Rage

As much as I hate to admit it, I have to be honest: Human beings are angry drivers!

I, like most people, would like to give myself the benefit of the doubt that I am a great citizen at all times and completely prone to road rage. However, I like most people, have also been behind the wheel of a car after missing my work alarm, after long days, etc.

Each of us is different and has different day to day stressors that might make you more likely to suffer from road rage. So see what kind of driver you are and take these tips in consideration before next time you are behind the wheel.

1. Lack of sleep can make you cranky

This is one that should not come as a surprise but we all know how cranky we get when we miss out on sleep. Sleep exhaustions makes us more likely to resort to your angry feelings.

Try to get eight hours of sleep every night (the recommended daily dose of sleep for adults).

2. Plan ahead

Doing such as allotting yourself enough time to sleep will make your day easier behind the road, it also shows off the importance of planning ahead. Angry driving tends to be presentable, so take a look at your schedule and give yourself enough time to get places. Only you know your habits, so make the necessary adjustments to give yourself plenty of time to make your commute!

3. Angry music? Tone it down a little!

As big of a Metallica fan as I am, it does makes sense that listening to angry music might increase your chance for angry driving. Try listening to music that puts you in a good mood and reduce stress. While more relaxing music will lower your stress levels, it will also help cover up stressful traffic noise (Don’t overdo the volume as to completely drown it out!)

4. Share the road and practice kindness

One mistake I find myself making is a pretty common for people to make: assuming that when someone cuts you off, blocks you out, etc. they are doing it on purpose, which can then lead our own emotions to get a little out of hand. Most of the time, other drivers really don’t see you and will be quick to try to apologize. It is up to you how to react, so try to keep that in mind and keep your stress levels down.

5. Take the self-test.

The key to being able to change your driving behavior is admitting your own faults in order to correct them. One useful tool to analyzing your own emotional patterns came from our friends at Edmunds.com, so give them a try. Do any of the following statements sound like you? If you answer "yes" to any of these statements, then your driving style may qualify as aggressive.  

- I regularly have to speed in order to get to work on time.

- I tailgate other drivers, especially the ones that drive in the left lane.

- When other drivers do something to annoy me, I flash my lights and honk my horn to let them know.

- I am verbally abusive to other drivers, whether they can hear or not.

- I constantly weave in and out of traffic to get ahead of other drivers.

Conclusion                                                                                                             

At one point or another we will lose our cool on the road, however aggressive driving is something that can be prevented. Try to make sure you are rested before driving, give yourself extra time and practice common courtesy to others and you will be able to lower aggressive tendencies.