1. Winterize your car.

Before you drive, clear the snow and ice from the windows, hood, lights, and roof. Keep your vehicle clean to help you be more visible to others. Vehicle maintenance is always important, but even more so in weather extremes. Be sure some of the systems must be in good working order are ignition system, fuel system, belts, hoses, fluids, brakes, exhaust system, wiper blades and operation, windshield washer fluid, heater and defroster, cooling system, tires, battery, lights and emergency flashing lights, oil level if necessary, replace with the winter grade oil. Keep the fuel tank full- don't let it get below half before filling up. Add gasoline antifreeze if necessary.

2. Rules of winter driving.

Make sure all movements are controlled and deliberate. Accelerate slowly to avoid loss of traction and subsequent loss of control. Move in a manner that will allow others to adjust to your actions. Anticipate actions of other drivers and drive defensively. Bridges and overpasses freeze before other road surfaces – use caution. Remember – "Smooth and slow on ice and snow." Beware of "black ice" when the roadway appears dry but the color of the pavement is darker and dull looking. Driving in winter conditions causes rapid mental and physical fatigue and reduces reaction times. Use greater following distances. Stopping distances on roads with ice and snow can triple over distances under normal conditions. Double or triple the 2-second count rule to create a safety buffer zone behind the vehicle in front of yours. Pass with care: passing lanes are not as well maintained as driving lanes. Brake and steer gently and deliberately. Brake carefully with short rapid application of the brakes. Turn on your low-beam headlights or fog lights whenever fog, rain or snow reduces visibility. High beams increase the glare and reduce visibility.

3. Driving in fog.

Fog can be thought of as a cloud at ground level. Fog can reduce visibility to 1/4 mile or less, creating hazardous driving conditions. If you can't postpone your trip, drive with lights on low beam. High beams will only be reflected back off the fog and actually impair visibility even more. Reduce your speed and watch your speedometer. Fog creates a visual illusion of slow motion when you may actually be speeding. Listen for traffic you cannot see. Open your window a little, to hear well. Use wipers and defrosters as necessary for maximum visibility. Use the right edge of the road or painted road markings as a guide. Be patient. Do not pass lines of traffic. Do not stop on a freeway or heavily traveled road. If the fog becomes too thick that you can barely see, pull completely off the road. Do not continue driving until you can see well. Turn off your lights or someone may see your taillights and drive into you.

4. Learn how to avoid and deal with aquaplaning.

Aquaplaning happens when the water in front of your tires builds up faster than your car's weight can push it out of the way. The water pressure causes your car to rise up and slide on a thin layer of water between your tires and the road. At this point, your car can be completely out of contact with the road, and you may begin to skid or drift out of your lane, or even off the road. Aquaplaning can still happen, but to help maintain contact with the road, keep your tires properly inflated, maintain good tread on your tires and replace them when necessary, slow down when roads are wet and stay away from puddles. Try to drive in the tire tracks left by the cars in front of you. If you find yourself losing traction, do not brake or turn suddenly. This could throw your car into a skid. Ease your foot off the accelerator until the car slows and you can feel the road again. If your car has ABS, then brake normally; the car's computer will mimic a pumping action when necessary. If you do not have ABS, brake gently with light pumping actions.

5. Recover from a skid.

Skids can happen even to the most cautious drivers. If your car does skid, remember not to slam on the brakes. Do not pump the brakes if you have an anti-lock braking system (ABS). Instead, apply firm, steady pressure to the brakes and steer the car in the direction of the skid.

6. Driving in wind.

When driving in high wind, be aware of the drivers of trucks, recreational vehicles, campers and towing trailers must be especially careful; reduce your speed and make steering corrections when you go from a protected area to an open area; reduce your speed when meeting large vehicles such as trucks and buses; heavy rain or sleet often accompanies high winds. You should be alert to wet or slippery areas and plan for those conditions.

7. Driving in extreme cold & snow.

If you have not added antifreeze, the water in the radiator may be freezing. Your engine will overheat if this happens. After starting the engine, watch temperature gauge for signs of overheating. Use the defroster or slightly opened windows to keep them from fogging up. When you drive in snow areas, carry chains in case you find yourself in conditions where you can’t drive without them. Make sure you carry the correct number or size of chains that they fit your wheels. Learn how to put the chains on before you need to use them. If your car has been parked outside during a snow storm, check the exhaust pipes to make sure they are clear before starting up the car. People can die in snow storms from carbon monoxide poisoning because their pipes were blocked with snow.  Also check if you back up into a snow bank.

8. Driving in heat.

Always watch the temperature gauge for overheating. Avoid driving at high speeds for long periods. Use low gear in creeping traffic. Turn off air conditioner if engine is overheating. May be if the car has been overheated, don’t open the radiator cap while it’s hot.

9. Items for winter car kit.

Be ready in case if you get stuck. Keep these items in your car: Flashlights with extra batteries, First aid kit with pocket knife, Necessary medications, Several emergency blankets, Sleeping bags, Extra newspapers for insulation, Plastic bags (for sanitation),Matches, Extra set of mittens, socks, and a wool cap, Rain gear and extra clothes, Small sack of sand for generating traction under wheels, small shovel, Small tools (pliers, wrench, screwdriver) ,Booster cables ,Set of tire chains or traction mats ,Cards, games, and puzzles ,Brightly colored cloth to use as a flag ,Canned fruit and nuts ,Bottled water .

10. Avoid highway hypnosis.

Highway hypnosis — extreme drowsiness caused by a combination of repetitive visual stimuli and fatigue — is one of the greatest driving hazards. When driving long distances, make frequent stops, during which you might take short naps or exercise. Exercise your eyes by reading road signs or shifting the focus of your eyes to different parts of the roadway. Make sure you are properly rested. If you notice yourself nodding and losing concentration — STOP! Get the rest you need, and then continue.

11. Blizzard Survival strategies:

Stay in your car. Only leave the car if help is visible within 100 yards. You may become disoriented and lost in blowing and/or drifting snow. Display a trouble sign by hanging a brightly colored cloth on the radio antenna. Turn on the car's engine for about 10 minutes each hour. Run the heater when the car is running. Also, turn on the car's dome light when the car is running.

Beware of carbon monoxide poisoning. Keep the exhaust pipe clear of snow, and open a downwind window slightly for ventilation. Watch for signs of frostbite and hypothermia.

Do minor exercises to keep up circulation. Clap hands and move arms and legs occasionally. Try not to stay in one position for too long. If more than one person is in the car, take turns sleeping. For warmth, huddle together. Use newspapers, maps, and even the removable car mats for added insulation. Avoid overexertion. Cold weather puts an added strain on the heart. Unaccustomed exercise such as shoveling snow or pushing a car can bring on a heart attack or make other medical conditions worse. Be aware of symptoms of dehydration.