FLORIDA – The rain and cold temperatures coming to Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia could mean rough driving conditions.
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With possible snow in some parts and ice in others, it might be time to find that snow scraper in case you’re greeted by some ice on your windshield in the morning.
If there’s ice on your windshield, DO NOT pour hot water on it because you could crack your windshield.
Cris Sanchez the general manager of Almightys Automotive said normal temperature water can help but it’s best to get your defrosters going for a few minutes to loosen up the ice and brush it off.
Getting your car engine warmed up before you hit the road can help with engine health.
Just make sure you aren’t doing that in a confined space. Open the garage or have the car outside.
Sanchez said there’s a natural loss of tire pressure that people can expect.
“It can drop about 3 to 4 psi but that’s a lot when you’re talking about a balanced car because you gotta remember this car weighs three 4000 pounds so when you’re uneven on that scale, it’s a whole different scale,” Sanchez said.
Put some air in your tires if you see your tire pressure light come on. If you see a significant drop, it may be time to take it to a mechanic because it could mean something is causing a leak.
News4JAX Crime and Safety Analyst Tom Hackney was in Jacksonville the last time significant ice hit the area.
He said it was “absolute chaos” and it might be a good idea to not leave the house, but be careful if you must.
Sanchez said without snow tires, it’s best to be patient and take your time.
“With ice on the streets like even with those tires it is a little risky so honestly go slow and don’t worry about your neighbor, you know the neighbors are rushing it,” Sanchez said. “You gotta make it to the destination alive.”
The Department of Transportation estimates over 100,000 people get hurt in car crashes on snow or icy roads so it’s important to be patient and be safe.
“It is a tough driving condition with people that have experience,” Hackney said. “If you don’t have experience, it can be, and I don’t wanna use hyperbole here, but it can be life-threatening.”
He said if you do start to slip and slide, lay off the brake and gas to let the tires try and get a grip.
AAA adds that drivers caught in a slide want to look in the direction they want to go and turn the wheel that way or “turn into the slide."
Bridges and overpasses can also freeze over faster, so Hackney said it might be best to avoid those if you can.