Toyota of N Charlotte’s tips for driving in winter weather!

Winter is on its way! Although we don’t see tons and tons of snow in Charlotte, a lot of our NC Toyota customers will be making their way to colder areas of the country to see family this holiday season. We’ll additionally get our fair share of winter weather, and driving in snow and ice can be extremely challenging. Our N Charlotte Toyota dealership wants to make sure that your winter season is as safe as possible, so we’ve come up with a list of tips to help you drive your new Toyota safely in tricky winter weather conditions! 

Prepare your N Charlotte Toyota for winter weather! 

First of all, be proactive! That’s one of our mottos at our N Charlotte Toyota dealership, and we stick by it in these circumstances as well. You’ll want to prep your new Toyota near Charlotte so it’s ready for winter weather. Make sure you have suitable tires with enough tread, and that they’re properly inflated. This can have a huge impact on your traction, which is essential for driving safely in slipper condition. You’ll also want to make sure that you have new windshield wipers so you’re ready for heavy snow or sleet, and that you also have an emergency kit in the back of your new Toyota with elements like extra blankets, granola bars, water, a shovel, jumper cables, and kitty litter (you can use it to provide extra traction for your tires). 

Once you hit the roads, take it slow! Snow equates to precarious, slippery driving conditions and as if it’s not enough for you to keep control of your new Toyota near Charlotte, you also need to be aware of other drivers on the road who might have lost control. Make sure you leave adequate distance between your new Toyota and the car in front of you, and be aware that ice isn’t always visible so you’ll want to drive carefully. Additionally, try to drive your new Toyota as smoothly as possible – this means no stomping on the gas or brakes. Doing either can cause you to skid and lose control. 

Learn how to control your new Toyota near Charlotte in icy conditions

Also, don’t get too confident just because your N Charlotte Toyota is a four-wheel drive vehicle, like a 2013 Toyota 4Runner – you can still lose control and skid out, causing an accident. Regardless of your car’s capabilities, you need to make a concerted effort to drive carefully. If you do find your new Toyota in a skid, DO NOT slam on the brakes! This can make the skid even more pronounced. Instead, steer into the skid, take your foot off the brake, and accelerate the tiniest bit. You’re probably having a “huh?” moment, but accelerating a bit when in a skid can help you regain control of your new Toyota by pushing the weight back to the rear wheels instead of the front. 

Want more tips about driving in winter weather, and how you can prepare your new Toyota for it? Visit Toyota of N Charlotte! We have an exceptional selection of new Toyota near Charlotte, used cars, and are constantly offering new Toyota specials to sweeten the deal. We’re just off I-77 on Statesville Road, and you can call for an appointment or a test drive at (8880 883-3797! See you soon!