Engine running, first scrape the letter to clear it. Should not be, but must be observed again and again. An unnecessary amount of CO2, fine dust and nitrogen oxides then provides thick air. How does this happen better and saving resources? Here are the tips.
On a beautiful winter day, there is nothing like a walk. Unfortunately, the air is particularly polluted by particles during the cold season, especially in cities. The background: in addition to the annual pollution from vehicle emissions, there is also the dirt from the chimneys of stoves. If the air pressure conditions are unfavorable, the air is thick despite the white splendor.
Five tips to conserve resources and increase safety
1. DO NOT HEAT UP THE ENGINE
Scrape the windows, adjust the seat and fasten the seatbelt, we prefer to do this before departure.
Then leave immediately and use every drop of gas to get around. "Especially when the engine is cold, gasoline consumption is particularly high, up to 40 liters per 100 kilometers, as are the pollutant emissions." "The engine only warmed up after about four kilometers and then reaches its normal performance with normal consumption."
The special change tip: If the change car is already at the station, you can often take the key out of the trunk a few minutes before you start your journey. A small time saver that works well for freeing the car from ice and snow.
2. DRIVE CAREFULLY
A lot of gas and spinning tires are not only bad for the environment, but also for the nerves of other road users. It's best to accelerate slowly and start off carefully.
3. ENGINE OFF
Don't leave the car engine running unnecessarily, for example at a railway crossing or in front of a school. Modern engines no longer run the risk of not starting in cold weather.
4. LIGHTS ON: ALWAYS!
Especially during the dark season, good lighting is important. Of course, the lighting system of every change car is always in perfect condition. Every 14 days, they are thoroughly inspected, which is more common in car sharing than in many private cars.
Of course, the alternator consumes energy, but here visibility and safety come before efficiency.
5. REAR FOG LIGHT
Rarely used, just a reminder: rear fog lights can only be switched on when visibility is less than 50 meters. In this case, the 50 km/h speed limit also applies.
If you would like to learn more about fuel-efficient driving to further improve the already positive environmental balance of CarShare, you are advised to check out the fuel-saving tips in Loading: "With these tips, driving a car becomes more climate-friendly. This is how you become a fuel saver".
CHECK THE GENERAL CONDITION OF THE VEHICLE
The technical reliability of the vehicle is essential for driving on snow. Check tire pressure, signal lights, battery and windshield wipers.
Before starting the car, make sure you have a good view through the windshield, windows and mirrors.
Finally, in snowy areas, it is preferable to equip your vehicle with tires adapted to driving on snow to guarantee better grip on the road.
BREAKDOWN IN WINTER: EQUIPMENT AND BEHAVIOUR
Always have a flashlight, warm clothes, gloves, blankets, water and food in the car.
In case of a breakdown, turn on the hazard lights, put on your safety vest and, if there is no danger, place the warning triangle 30 meters behind your vehicle,
KNOW HOW TO INSTALL CHAINS
If a sign requires it or without waiting to be immobilized by snow, the driver must know how to install chains on his vehicle. It is therefore important to do a few installation rehearsals before leaving. Ideally, all four wheels should be fitted and should be away from the road so as not to impede traffic, while ensuring safety.
If chains are used, the speed of traffic must be reduced.
TIPS TO COMBAT WINTER'S DISCOMFORTS
To remove frost from the windshield, use a painter's knife rather than plastic tools to reduce the risk of scratching. And to reduce the amount of frost on the windshield, rub it off at night with half an onion. The windshield washer will remove the marks the next day
To avoid freezing on the lock, stick some tape on it in the evening or before washing your vehicle. Also, coat your door seals with Vaseline oil to prevent them from being torn off after a night of frost.
Finally, to prevent fogging of the interior windows, without using air conditioning, turn the heater on high and wipe the windows with a cloth that has been soaked in dishwashing liquid and dried beforehand.
SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS IN CASE OF BAD WEATHER
Snow, ice, frost, fog Driving in winter requires adapting one's driving behavior, in addition to respecting road safety rules (wearing seat belts, speed limits):
Give way to snowplows and salting machines: overtaking is prohibited
Increase safety distances: snow and ice increase the braking distance
Avoid any sudden maneuver, especially on icy roads
Adapt your speed to the circumstances
Anticipate risks and therefore braking by spotting risk areas: bridges, undergrowth...
Turn on the low beam: front and rear fog lights are authorized in case of snowfall
Take breaks every 2 hours, or even more frequently: winter traffic conditions are more tiring for the driver
In case of ice, equip your vehicle with special tires
In case of violent snow squalls and poor visibility, it is better to stop on the side of the road with your hazard lights on and wait in your car for help.
TIPS FOR PEDESTRIANS AND CYCLISTS
As a pedestrian, wear light-colored clothing and use luminous or reflective devices in winter to be visible to other road users.
All cyclists must wear a safety vest at night outside built-up areas, and during the day in case of insufficient visibility.
In case of snow or ice, it is recommended not to use a two-wheeler. If driving a two-wheeler is unavoidable, check the condition of the lighting and tires. Wear warm, brightly colored or retro-reflective clothing.
HOW TO AVOID THE PITFALLS OF WINTER?
When traveling, each driver must be focused and cautious in order to adapt the speed and movements of his or her vehicle, and anticipate those of other users. Rather than trying to get ahead of everyone else at intersections, drivers can use courtesy to help keep traffic flowing.
Another important factor during winter is visibility! From December to March, light levels are lower and night falls more quickly, making the most vulnerable road users less visible. In fact, when visibility is less than 50 meters, for more safety, it is preferable not to exceed the speed of 50 km / hour and especially to turn on your fog lights. Furthermore, never wait until you are stuck before abandoning a journey. A delayed departure is better than a night in the cold.
RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH WINTER DRIVING
Part of the reason drivers must be extremely careful when driving in winter is to avoid the road hazards directly associated with this specific time of year, and whose weather consequences are not without risk for road users.
When driving in winter, motorists are exposed to a number of risks. Rain, for example, is common in winter and affects visibility for the user and grip for the vehicle, making driving much more difficult. If temperatures are low enough, puddles of rain remaining on the road can very quickly turn into icy patches, which are known to cause many loss of control and road accidents each year.
Winter is also known to be a season for fog, which drivers should be extremely cautious of as it reduces visibility and can obscure obstacles on the road.
Finally, road users may also be confronted with snow on the road, which may obscure the driver's visibility and reduce the car's grip on the ground.
CARRYING THE ESSENTIAL ACCESSORIES FOR DRIVING IN THE SNOW
If driving in winter requires road users to be particularly careful on the roads and to carry out a certain number of usual checks before taking to the road, they must also take with them a certain number of accessories, which will enable them to drive more serenely during the winter.
SNOW CHAINS
Even outside of areas where signs require it, all drivers are advised to carry snow chains in their trunks so that they can quickly equip their vehicles with them. It can take a few minutes to put them on, especially for those who are not used to it. This is why it is recommended to park away from the roadway before installing the chains on all four wheels, so as not to create any slowdowns.
SNOW SCRAPER
The snow scraper is an essential accessory for the winter period. It allows you to quickly and effortlessly scrape off all the ice that tends to accumulate on the windows, which users must clean before they can get behind the wheel of their car.
A FLASHLIGHT AND WARM CLOTHING
Because it gets dark faster in the winter, users who experience a breakdown may find themselves in complete darkness to change a wheel or try to get their vehicle moving again, which doesn't make things any easier. Also, the presence of blankets or warm clothes in the passenger compartment is strongly recommended, especially in the event of a breakdown requiring the driver and passengers to leave the vehicle.
RESPECTING SAFE DISTANCES
When faced with immediate danger, a driver's first reaction is to brake. This is why it is all the more important to respect the safety distances when the weather conditions are deteriorating. The non-respect of these distances is a violation of the Highway Code which leads to the implementation of a 4th class fine. When you know that every year in France, nearly 300 people die as a result of a rear-end collision, it is easy to understand how essential it is to pay attention to this.
ADAPT YOUR ROUTE TO THE WEATHER CONDITIONS
Generally, weather reports do not provide information about traffic conditions. However, it can be very useful to adapt your itinerary according to the difficult weather conditions in order to favour the main roads. Indeed, these roads are often the first to be cleared by winter service vehicles. However, drivers who come across them should know that as soon as their blue flashing lights are on, it is strictly forbidden to pass them.
In addition, it is likely that most users will also try to drive on these same lanes and this will create traffic jams, especially during the school vacations.
CHECK AND PREPARE YOUR VEHICLE
The owner of a vehicle must ensure that it is in good working order before each trip. This responsibility is heightened in the winter months, as certain components such as the battery, light bulbs and windshield wipers are particularly stressed. Drivers should not hesitate to drain their windshield washer fluid reservoir and add frost-resistant washer fluid as winter approaches to prevent their windshield from freezing.
In the absence of a full service garage, it is advisable to check tire levels and pressures. In addition, in mountainous regions, where it snows heavily, it is highly recommended to opt for the installation whose structure allows driving on snowy surfaces.
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