November 2019 Car Care Tips

November brings cooler weather and the start of Fall.  These driving tips could keep you safe this month.‍

Don't brake on leaves. Wet leaves can be as slippery as ice. If you see leaves on the road, reduce your speed and avoid hard braking. As the leaves begin to pile up, they may obscure lane lines and other road markers, so pay attention to the edge of the road and take care to stay in your lane.
‍

Avoid sun glare. The change in the sun's pattern can make the first 15 to 45 minutes after sunrise and before sunset more difficult to drive in due to the sun's glare. The sun perfectly aligns with east/west roadways during this time. Make sure you have a good pair of sunglasses for the daytime, keep your windshield clean and use north/south streets or streets with tree cover when possible.‍

Use your rain smarts. When it's raining, be sure to maintain a safe distance between you and other vehicles, as the wet roads may be more slippery than usual and you may be at higher risk of hydroplaning. Use your low beams or fog lights (never high beams) in fog conditions.
‍

Be careful on bridges. As the temperature begins to drop, morning frost can leave icy patches on bridges, overpasses and shaded spots on the road. Slow down. ‍

Make sure your vehicle is up to the task. That means you should:

• Check your vehicle's tire pressure. Tires lose 1 to 2 pounds of pressure for every 10-degree temperature drop.
• Replace your windshield wipers. A really clean window can help you see when there's glare. Adding a windshield polish like Rain-X can also help reduce the amount of water on your windshield.
• Adjust your headlights. If your headlights seem too dim, they may simply need to be adjusted.