Winter is an incredible time of the year in Columbia, Waterloo, Southern Illinois, Millstadt, Freeburg, and Athens, IL, especially when a new coating of snow covers everything. Winter could also be a very hazardous season. If you are thinking of traveling in the winter, it pays to be completely prepared for winter driving and to have winter car supplies in your vehicle. Regrettably, being trapped on the side of the road in severe winter conditions is not unheard of. Charlie's Columbia CARSTAR in Columbia, IL has provided these guidelines to help you in case you ever find yourself in that situation.
In Case You Are Stuck While Driving In Winter:
1. Call 911. If you've got access to a phone, call 911 to get assistance. Whenever you talk to authorities, be ready to:
3. Try to avoid overexertion. Attempting to push your vehicle, attempting to jack it into a new position or shoveling snow takes great effort in storm conditions. You may risk heart attack or other injury.
![st louis carstar winter driving safety]( "headlight restoration metro east stl")
4. Calm down and think. The storm will end and you'll be discovered. Don't work enough to get hot and sweaty. Wet clothing loses insulation quality making you more vulnerable to the effects of hypothermia.
5. Keep fresh air in your vehicle. It is much better to be chilly or cold and conscious than to be comfortably warm and slide into unconsciousness. Freezing-wet or wind-driven St. Louis area snow can plug your car's exhaust system causing lethal carbon monoxide gas to enter your car.
6. Do not run the engine unless you're certain the exhaust pipe is totally free of snow or other objects. Keep your radiator clear of snow to stop the engine from overheating. Run the engine at 10 minute intervals for heat.
7. Switch on the dome light at night, but only when running the engine.
8. Keep your blood circulating freely by loosening tight clothes, changing positions often, and moving your legs and arms. Huddle close to each other. Rub your hands together or stick them beneath your armpits or between your legs. Take off your shoes or boots once in a while and rub your feet.
9. Do not expect to be comfortable. The challenge is to survive until you are discovered.
10. Make yourself noticeable to rescuers. Tie a bright cloth to your antenna or door handle.
When you get free from danger, your vehicle may have some cosmetic or internal damage. If that's the case, consider taking your car or truck to Charlie's Columbia CARSTAR in Columbia, Illinois. They have auto body experts prepared to take care of any damage that your vehicle might have sustained.
In Case You Are Stuck While Driving In Winter:
1. Call 911. If you've got access to a phone, call 911 to get assistance. Whenever you talk to authorities, be ready to:
- Describe the location, condition of your travel companions and the difficulty you are encountering.
- Listen for questions.
- Follow any instruction. You may be told you should stay where you are to guide rescuers or to return to the scene.
- Do not hang up until you know whom you have spoken with and what's going to happen next.
3. Try to avoid overexertion. Attempting to push your vehicle, attempting to jack it into a new position or shoveling snow takes great effort in storm conditions. You may risk heart attack or other injury.
5. Keep fresh air in your vehicle. It is much better to be chilly or cold and conscious than to be comfortably warm and slide into unconsciousness. Freezing-wet or wind-driven St. Louis area snow can plug your car's exhaust system causing lethal carbon monoxide gas to enter your car.
6. Do not run the engine unless you're certain the exhaust pipe is totally free of snow or other objects. Keep your radiator clear of snow to stop the engine from overheating. Run the engine at 10 minute intervals for heat.
7. Switch on the dome light at night, but only when running the engine.
8. Keep your blood circulating freely by loosening tight clothes, changing positions often, and moving your legs and arms. Huddle close to each other. Rub your hands together or stick them beneath your armpits or between your legs. Take off your shoes or boots once in a while and rub your feet.
9. Do not expect to be comfortable. The challenge is to survive until you are discovered.
10. Make yourself noticeable to rescuers. Tie a bright cloth to your antenna or door handle.
When you get free from danger, your vehicle may have some cosmetic or internal damage. If that's the case, consider taking your car or truck to Charlie's Columbia CARSTAR in Columbia, Illinois. They have auto body experts prepared to take care of any damage that your vehicle might have sustained.