Driving in the sunshine is almost a pleasant task with the car largely taking care of the driving for you. In bad weather, however, it's a different story. This article has tips which can help. As a motorist, you are well aware of just how challenging it can be to drive on the road during bright and sunny weather; dodging obstacles and managing your balance and turns. Of course, when that lovely weather goes away, there a few changes to your driving style that you can make riding in wet weather less of a challenge than it needs to be.

How to Stay Safe on the Road When It's Bad Out

If you are new to driving in bad weather or you are just looking for a refresher on the subject, below are some basic tips from Ace Hi Oil which can help you be a safer rider during wet and cold weather.

Gauge Your Ground

Even if you aren’t a lead-foot who needs to beat every other driver to the next red light, you can still slow down your acceleration a little during wet and cold weather. When the weather isn’t all too great, it’s important that you gauge the road conditions each time that you drive and not just get in the car and take off like you would on a dry road. The reason to take it slow each time is that there could be a mixture of unknown elements on the road making it slippery. For example, if you stop over a puddle of water with oil then you could be in for some wheel spinning if you try and accelerate too quickly. While it may be fun in the movies, it’s dangerous in reality.

Brake Earlier

Similar to the above, there are just too many variables during wet and bad weather for you to know just what’s going on underneath and around your car. For that reason, it’s important that you apply the brakes earlier than you would. While you may have a high-tech car with state-of-the-art brakes, their effectiveness depends largely on how early you engage them. While this doesn't mean that you need to start braking as soon as you leave the set of traffic lights, it does mean a second or two earlier than you usually would. Click here to buy AMSOIL's Signature Series 0W-20 Synthetic Motor Oil and give your engine what it needs to work efficiently. Speak with an expert at Ace Hi Oil by calling (888) 459-9958 to find out more about how a synthetic oil change in Southlake, TX can improve your engine performance.

Tire Condition

Of course, in addition to how early you use them, the condition of your tires is also important. Even more so than during the summer months. Why? Because driving during wet and bad weather conditions on brand new tires is a task which should be undertaken carefully. When you add in a lack of tread then you are in for a world of problems. A quick visual inspection is all that’s required to see if your tires need replacing. If you can see any bald spots (areas without tread), cracks, or even debris stuck in your tires, have it fixed immediately and don't drive on it before you do. Of course, don't forget to check the condition of your spare tire while you are at it, lest you get stuck on the side of the road when it's raining only to find that your spare isn't going to get you out of trouble.

Keep Your Distance

There is no doubt that you are a great driver. However, can you say the same for every motorist who is driving around you? Unless you are 100% sure of their driving abilities, your best defense is a good...well, defense! During wet weather, you should up your defensive-driving game by keeping a greater distance between you and the cars around you. This includes spaces where you are driving slow like car parks or drop off lanes. Even an extra few feet can be the difference between a near miss and the need to exchange insurance details.

Give Your Engine a Boost with a Synthetic Oil Change in Southlake, TX

Of all the vehicle maintenance required, checking and replacing your car's fluids is the easiest and an aspect which every motorist can do with the right products. Speak with an expert at Ace Hi Oil by calling (888) 459-9958 to find out which is the right engine fluid for your next synthetic oil change in Southlake, TX. Alternatively, the online store has more information about each of the individual products available.