Winter Driving Tips for Lakewood, NJ

Winter is a great time in Lakewood for many reasons – the holidays are here, the year is coming to a close, and fun activities like skiing, sledding, and snowboarding are back in season! However, as the days get colder and the sun sets earlier, hazardous driving conditions can occur when it sleets, snows, or ices over. Follow along with Honda Universe as we go over some winter driving tips for new and experienced drivers alike. Make sure you also schedule a service appointment with our team to ensure your Honda is ready for the winter season! 

Tips for Driving in Winter Weather

Whether you’re heading out on a weekend road trip or just running errands in Freehold, there are some essential winter driving tips you need to keep in mind for your personal safety and the safety of other drivers. Read below for some essential winter driving safety tips from our team:

Build a Winter Emergency Kit

Building a winter emergency car kit is easy, affordable, and essential to your safety if you end up stranded in the snow. Pack the following items in a box or another container in your trunk or rear cargo area for easy access:

• Warm clothing, dry socks, and blankets
• Extra water and nonperishable food like granola or protein bars
• An ice scraper, snow shovel, and broom
• A flashlight, flares, and emergency markers in case of an accident
• A cell phone charger or USB cable

Prepare Your Vehicle for Winter

Before the winter weather sets in, bring your vehicle to our service center to have it inspected, maintained, and have your winter services performed. You can also read out DIY service tips to prepare your car for winter. When you take your car to our service center or work on it at home, make sure the following are closely checked:

• Tires
• Fluids
• Battery
• Fuel tank
• Lights

Stay alert

As you drive in Toms River, always wear your seatbelt, never take your eyes off the road, and never check your phone or text while driving. These are rules that you should follow all the time, but particularly during the winter when the roads are covered in ice, snow, and sleet and your vehicle’s traction is low.

Take public transit

If you live in an area where public transit is readily available, try to take the train, bus, or a cab when you can. This will reduce the number of cars on the road and make driving safer. 

Drive slowly

During the winter months, the roads are often covered in snow, ice, and sleet, making it much more difficult to navigate, accelerate, and stop. Take your time and drive slowly to ensure you and your passengers are safe as you commute in Jackson. 

For road trips

If you’re planning a winter road trip, take these extra steps for a safe trip:

• Closely monitor road conditions and weather before leaving to ensure you’re not driving into inclement weather. 
• Print out any maps or directions you need in case you lose GPS signal.
• Prepare an extensive winter emergency kit and general emergency car kit to ensure you have everything you need if you encounter an emergency out on the open road. 
• Stay connected with someone who knows your route and arrival time.
• Bring your vehicle to our service center to ensure it’s ready for a long trip in the cold.

What to do in an Emergency Situation

If you find yourself in an emergency situation – such as running off the road or getting stuck in a snowbank – closely follow these directions:

• Stay with your vehicle. Never go off on your own, as it will make it much harder for emergency crews to find you. Stay inside the vehicle if possible, or close by it. Your vehicle will also act as a shelter from the wind, snow, and cold. 
• Brightly mark your vehicle so crews can find it. Use your dome light, flashlight, and flares if possible. If you don’t have emergency markers, try using a scarf, a bag, or anything else that’s brightly colored.
• Stay warm using blankets and winter clothes. Keep your layers on and use the blanket from your emergency kit to stay warm within the vehicle. 
• Don’t continuously run the heater. Run your heater intermittently if you’ve been stuck for a while. This will help you save fuel so you can stay warmer for longer. 
• Make sure your exhaust pipe is not blocked by snow. If your tailpipe is clogged, carbon monoxide will leak into the vehicle cabin, which is extremely dangerous and can cause death. 

Stay Safe This Winter With Honda Universe

If you have any questions or want more information about winter driving in New Jersey, contact our office in Lakewood! We’ll help you prepare your vehicle for the coming winter months and help you save on your vehicle service with our service specials. We look forward to helping you keep your Honda running for mile after mile in New Jersey!