Discover Northern California's
Winter Driving Tips

Welcome to Our Winter Driving Tips

Why do we need Winter Driving Tips?

I hate to have to say it, but it's a well-known fact that Californians do not know how to drive in inclement weather! This is coming from a third-generation Californian, so I know that of which I speak. And, since I'm a native Californian, it's okay for me to tell it like it is on this subject!

That being said, an argument can surely be made that it's not our fault we don't know how to drive in rough weather conditions.

So much of our year is spent worrying more about getting a sunburn driving with the top down or the sunroof open, that we don't have much experience with rain, sleet, fog, and snow!

But with Winter coming on once again - and trust us, we do get rain, sleet, snow, and especially fog in the Wintertime - we want to help everyone be safe, especially if you're going to be driving up into the mountains to enjoy snow packs and slaloms and ice skating rinks.

Therefore we're sharing these Winter weather driving tips with you - delivered with a bit of tongue-in-cheek to keep it light. Whether you're a visitor to Northern California or you've lived here all your life, we hope you'll find our tips useful.

Do you have Winter driving tips, or a story for the rest of us?
Share your story here!

Find the best prices on Winter hotel rooms while you're driving the North State, use HotelsCombined.com, where you can compare prices from over 100 hotel booking sites, including Hotels.com.

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These Winter Driving Tips Could Save Your Life!

• Be aware of unexpected hazards. Sounds a little oxymoron-ish, I know - "be aware" of "unexpected" hazards. But you know what we mean: bridges, overpasses, and the roads-less-traveled. These areas are often the first to freeze - and we might even encounter unexpected ice on those truly warmer days when it seems like there shouldn't be any ice - especially when we're driving through a shady area.
• Don't pass snow plows and sanding trucks. They can't see us with all that snow and sand flying around. Besides, what do we think the road is going to be like in front of the snow plow?

For current mountain road conditions and to find out whether chains are required, check Mountain Highways before you travel, or call Caltrans Highway Information Network (CHIN) at 800.427.7623

When planning your trip to Northern California in the Winter, print and review these Winter driving tips to refresh your memory. And always remember, if the weather conditions are so harsh that you don't feel comfortable being on the road, the best thing to do is to stop and stay in a hotel, motel, B&B, inn, whatever.

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These Winter Driving Tips Can Help You
When You're in Trouble

Here are some Winter driving tips to get you out of trouble when the unwanted and unexpected happens - like you hit black ice and go into a skid, you're car is stuck in the snow or mud, or - worse case scenario - you really are stuck and can't get out.

Rear-wheel Skid

• Remove your foot from the accelerator.
• Steer in the direction you want the car to go - if the rear wheels are sliding left, steer left.
• If the rear wheels start sliding the other way as you recover, gently steer toward that direction.
• For standard brakes, pump gently.
• For ABS (anti-lock brakes), apply steady pressure.

Front-wheel Skid

• Take your foot off the gas and put the car in neutral (don't try to steer right away).
• The skidding wheels will slow the car and you'll regain traction - as traction returns, steer in the direction you want the car to go, return the car to low gear, and gently accelerate.

If You're Stuck

• Do not spin your wheels.
• Turn your wheels from side to side to push snow away.
• If necessary, use a shovel to clear snow away from your wheels
• Pour sand, kitty litter, gravel, or salt in the path of the wheels to gain traction.
• Be cautious about using the rocking method (shifting from forward to reverse and back again) - it can damage the transmission on some vehicles.
• When you're ready to go, use a very light touch on the accelerator and ease the car out.

If You're Stranded

• Call for help if you have your cell phone or an onboard emergency reporting system
  
• Don't leave your car unless you're absolutely sure where you are, where you're going, and how far you are from your destination.
• Light 2 flares, placing one at each end of your car (at a safe distance); tie a bright cloth to your antenna.
• Run the engine and heater for about 10 minutes every hour or so (making sure the exhaust is not blocked first).
• Wrap up in anything and everything you can find to stay warm.
• Keep a window slightly open to avoid being sealed in.
• Suck on a hard candy to keep your mouth moist.
  
  

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Make Like a Boy Scout  -
Be Prepared with these Winter Driving Tips!

Here are a few things that we all should keep in our cars during the Winter, even if we don't really plan to be driving in hazardous condition.

Actually, they're good things to have in your trunk any time of year!

After all, we never really know for sure what's going to happen down the road, do we?

So take a look at the Boy Scout Winter driving tips list below and start filling your trunk - who needs luggage, anyway?

Discover Northern California's Recommended Survival Kit

• Spare tire (preferably inflated) and accouterments
• Small shovel
• Jumper cables
• Tool kit with wooden matches and a compass
• Flashlight
• First aid kit
• Exterior window cleaner, ice scraper, snow brush
• Tow rope and tire chains
• Sand, salt, or kitty litter
• Scissors and cord or string
• Heavy warm blankets, caps, socks, mittens
• Nonperishable foods that are high energy like energy bars, dried fruit, canned nuts, trail mixes, and hard candies

Well, we feel a whole lot better now - we've made our Winter driving tips list and we're checking it twice to make sure we'll be safe this Winter. We hope you're doing the same!

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For more of Discover Northern California's Hints and Tips:

• Beach Safety
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• Best Travel Secrets
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• Family Camping Tips
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• iPhone Travel Apps
  Jill gives you recommendations for her Must Have Map Apps for Family Travel.
• Nude Beaches
  To go or not - your choice.
  
• Tide Pool Tips
  Tide pool life is very fragile; we should be careful not to harm these mini-ecosystems in our enthusiasm to enjoy them! Here are some tide pool tips to help...
  
• Travel Sites We Love
  Over the years, through our own travel adventures and those of others, we have come across some excellent websites that we would love to share with you!
• Travel Tips
  Here are 7 easy travel tips for getting the most out of your adventures, whether they be in Northern California or around the globe!
• Whale Watching Tips
  Looking for some Whale Watching Tips to enhance your experience and make your whale watching trip more enjoyable? Then this is the place for you!
• Wine Tasting Tips
  You don't need to be an expert to go wine tasting. All you need is a desire to give it a try and have some fun! Here are a few Wine Tasting Tips to help you get more out of the experience.

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Winter Driving Tips

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