It’s nice that most of the time when you drive, the roads are in decent conditions. If there were always perfect driving conditions, there would be a lot less accidents and a lot less need for the Philadelphia, PA auto repair shop you use for oil changes. While your auto repair shop is glad for your business, we never want you to get into trouble on the road. That’s why we have put together this outline of various hazardous and extreme road conditions to help you know how to drive in them.
Rain
Rain happens and it’s more regular during certain seasons of the year. It might not normally bother you, but wet roads can be slippery and cause hydroplaning. It can also increase fog outside and even inside your vehicle. Stay up to date on your windshield wipers so you have clear visibility and check your headlights to make sure other drivers can see you.
Ice
Ice is something that happens more in Pennsylvania than some of the southern states, so you may be more used to it than some drivers. Ice greatly increases your chance of accidents and you’ll want to especially watch out where ice can accumulate, like on bridges and overpasses. Check your brakes and tires for traction so you can handle the slick roads and drive slower than you normally would.
Mud
After the rain, sometimes you’ll run into a lot of mud. Mud is slippery as well and makes a car hard to steer. Make sure your steering and brakes are in good working condition and your alignment should be perfect to avoid wheel damage as well. Take things slow, but not so slow that you risk getting stuck.
Traffic
Philadelphia certainly has plenty of traffic and if you compound heavy traffic with any of the above road conditions, things can get even worse. Get regular inspections to ensure your vehicle is safe in any road condition and avoid the times of day when traffic is the worse, if at all possible. When you do get stuck in traffic, bring your patience. Yelling at others never speeds things up and can make your stress levels higher.
You never know what’s going to happen when you drive on the mud, in the rain, or on ice. You never even know what’s going to happen in perfect conditions when you drive in heavy traffic. You can’t control everything, but you can control how well your vehicle can handle those things by keeping up with its maintenance. Visit a Philadelphia, PA auto repair shop for regular inspections and keep everything on the level within your vehicle. It’s hard to say what you will avoid since you never know what will happen, but wouldn’t you rather be on the safe side of any scenario? Contact Schafer’s Auto Center by calling (215) 755-1270 for an appointment. We’re located at 1924 S Columbus Blvd Philadelphia, PA 19148 and we’re here to help you with any vehicle issue you might have.
