Driving when the sun is shining overhead can often be so easy that it's almost enjoyable! When the rain starts to fall and visibility lowers, however, it's a different story. During instances of bad weather and poor visibility, many motorists choose to stay at home or indoors wherever they are until it passes. While there will be times when this is possible, there will be other times when you simply need to get somewhere.

Help Staying Safe on the Road During Bad Weather

If this sounds like you, below are some driving and vehicle maintenance tips from TenEyck Distributing to help you stay safe on the road during bad weather.

Slow Starts

When the roads are clear and dry, accelerating from a standing start is as easy as putting your foot on the gas pedal and moving forward. This often causes us to form a habit where these kinds of take-offs are the norm. However, during instances of bad weather, such as times when there is rain, grease, or any other debris which you can’t see on the road where it can cause havoc for your tires. With this in mind, each time that you start from a standing stop, be sure to ease off your gas pedal and gauge the terrain before applying too much pressure. While it may not seem important, it could be the difference between you spinning your wheels and not being able to move out of the way of traffic and you successfully merging with no problems.

Slow Stops

During dry weather, there is a range of factors which determine how well and how quickly your car will come to a complete stop. During times of wet weather, each of these factors is affected, often drastically increasing the time that it takes to bring your vehicle to a safe and complete stop. For this reason, consider touching your foot to the brake pedal one or two seconds earlier than you usually would, just to allow your braking system, tires, and the road to law work together and bring you to a full stop. Click here to buy AMSOIL Signature Series 0W-20 Synthetic Motor Oil, a product which has been purpose designed to keep your engine running at optimal performance. To learn more or to place an order, call TenEyck Distributing today at (208) 589-4660 and speak with a friendly expert.

Are You Visible?

You have likely driven in rain so hard that you had to rely on the lights of cars around you to navigate where you are going. When you are driving, be sure that you are providing the same courtesy to drivers around you by checking that all of your lights work. A simple visual inspection using your rear-view mirror once a week in your garage as you prepare to leave is enough to know if your brakes and indicator lights are working correctly and are alerting other motorists to your presence.

Keep Your Distance

Speaking of drivers around you, whether you can see them using their lights or through the naked eye, consider leaving a bit of extra distance. You don’t need to leave enough space that a truck could make its way in but do leave an extra few feet, just in case the motorists need to brake in an emergency.

How Are Your Tires?

In the range of factors mentioned above, the condition of your tires is one of the primary contributors This doesn’t mean their age, it means their condition. Even if you have new tires there is a chance that they may not be up to the task. In a dry and well-lit space, give your tires a visual inspection, paying attention to the following:

• Any cracks in the wall of your tires
• Any missing treat or bald spots
• Debris stuck in your tread or your tire

If you can see any of the above or any other concerns, immediately swap the tire for your spare and get it to your mechanic for inspection and repair before you drive on it any further.

Give Your Engine a Kickstart with a Synthetic Oil Change in Idaho Falls, ID

When it comes to aspects of engine maintenance which you can do at home, giving your car a synthetic oil change is by far the most powerful. Call TenEyck Distributing today at (208) 589-4660 or check out the online store to learn more about the range of high-quality AMSOIL engine fluids and oils and how each one can help improve the performance and lifespan of your engine.