Tips For Preparing Your Teen For Winter Driving

Posted on: 25 July 2016

If it's your teen's first winter driving, you need to make sure he or she is prepared. After all, driving on ice and snow is a lot different than driving on clear, dry roads. But, how do you make sure your teen knows how to drive in inclement weather? Check out these tips to help make sure your teen is prepared for his or her first winter behind the wheel.

Review Basic Vehicle Operation

Even if your teen has been driving for months, you need to review the basics of operating a vehicle. When you're driving on icy roads, it's extremely important to start and stop slowly, as well as maintain a good distance from the car in front of you. So, spend some time riding in a car with your teen to see is he or she has picked up any bad habits — don't forget to correct any bad driving habits you witness. Also, have your teen practice starting and stopping slowly by pressing the pedals with the ball of the foot.

Preparing the Car

Car maintenance is extremely important during the winter. If you don't maintain your vehicle properly, it's more likely that the car will break down. A broken down car in the winter is a lot for a teen to deal with, so teach your teen to prepare the car for winter by:

  • Checking the fluid levels, and having the oil changed.
  • Having a brake inspection, and the pads replaced if necessary.
  • Checking the tire tread, and replacing the tires if it's too low.
  • Replacing the windshield wipers with more durable winter wipers.
  • Having the car battery tested to make sure it will last all season.

Preparing for Emergencies

Your teen needs to know how you want to handle winter emergencies. For example, if your teen tries to start the car and the battery has died, should he or she call you or roadside assistance? Even if you prefer your teen to call you if there's a problem with the vehicle or an accident, you should still make sure your teen has a phone number for roadside assistance as well. If you don't have a separate roadside assistance account, you can check with your car insurance carrier to see if it's something that can be added onto your policy. Also you need to make sure the car has emergency items, such as:

  • Blankets
  • Jumper cables
  • Flashlight
  • Shovel
  • First aid kit
  • Ice scraper
  • Flares

By talking to your teen about the dangers of winter driving, and making sure he or she is prepared for anything that may arise, it's more likely that your teen will get through winter without any problems. So, help your teen prepare the car and make sure he or she hasn't picked up any bad driving habits over the summer. To learn more, contact a company like A.E.R. TOWING

Share