Driving in Snow and Ice
The best advice for driving in bad winter weather is not to drive at all, if you can avoid it.
-Don't go out until the snow plows and sanding trucks have had a chance to do their work, and allow yourself extra time to reach your destination.
-If you must drive in snowy conditions, make sure your car is prepared (TIPS), and that you know how to handle road conditions.
-It's helpful to practice winter driving techniques in a snowy, open parking lot, so you're familiar with how your car handles. Consult your owner's manual for tips specific to your vehicle.
Driving safely on icy roads
-Decrease your speed and leave yourself plenty of room to stop. You should allow at least three times more space than usual between you and the car in front of you.
-Brake gently to avoid skidding. If your wheels start to lock up, ease off the brake.
-Turn on your lights to increase your visibility to other motorists.
-Keep your lights and windshield clean.
-Use low gears to keep traction, especially on hills.
-Don't use cruise control or overdrive on icy roads.
-Be especially careful on bridges, overpasses and infrequently traveled roads, which will freeze first. Even at temperatures above freezing, if the conditions are wet, you might encounter ice in shady areas or on exposed roadways like bridges.
-Don't pass snow plows and sanding trucks. The drivers have limited visibility, and you're likely to find the road in front of them worse than the road behind.
-Don't assume your vehicle can handle all conditions. Even four-wheel and front-wheel drive vehicles can encounter trouble on winter roads.
If your rear wheels skid...
-Take your foot off the accelerator.
-Steer in the direction you want the front wheels to go. If your rear wheels are sliding left, steer left. If they're sliding right, steer right.
-If your rear wheels start sliding the other way as you recover, ease the steering wheel toward that side. You might have to steer left and right a few times to get your vehicle completely under control.
-If you have standard brakes, pump them gently.
-If you have anti-lock brakes (ABS), do not pump the brakes. Apply steady pressure to the brakes. You will feel the brakes pulse — this is normal.
If your front wheels skid...
-Take your foot off the gas and shift to neutral, but don't try to steer immediately.
-As the wheels skid sideways, they will slow the vehicle and traction will return. As it does, steer in the direction you want to go. Then put the transmission in "drive" or release the clutch, and accelerate gently.
If you get stuck...
-Do not spin your wheels. This will only dig you in deeper.
-Turn your wheels from side to side a few times to push snow out of the way.
-Use a light touch on the gas, to ease your car out.
-Use a shovel to clear snow away from the wheels and the underside of the car.
-Pour sand, kitty litter, gravel or salt in the path of the wheels, to help get traction.
-Try rocking the vehicle. (Check your owner's manual first — it can damage the transmission on some vehicles.) Shift from forward to reverse, and back again. Each time you're in gear, give a light touch on the gas until the vehicle gets going.
http://www.weather.com/activities/driving/drivingsafety/drivingsafetytips/snow.html
Additional Tips:
Winterize Your Car
Driving in the winter means snow, sleet and ice that can lead to slower traffic, hazardous road conditions, hot tempers and unforeseen dangers. To help you make it safely through winter, here are some suggestions from the National Safety Council to make sure that you and your vehicle are prepared.
--Weather At any temperature -- 20° Fahrenheit below zero or 90° Fahrenheit above -- weather affects road and driving conditions and can pose serious problems. It is important to monitor forecasts on the Web, radio, TV, cable weather channel, or in the daily papers.
--Your Car--Prepare your car for winter. Start with a checkup that includes:
-Checking the ignition, brakes, wiring, hoses and fan belts.
-Changing and adjusting the spark plugs.
-Checking the air, fuel and emission filters, and the PCV valve.
-Inspecting the distributor.
-Checking the battery.
-Checking the tires for air, sidewall wear and tread depth.
-Checking antifreeze levels and the freeze line.
-Your car should have a tune-up (check the owner's manual for the recommended interval) to ensure better gas mileage, quicker starts and faster response on pick-up and passing power.
--Necessary Equipment--An emergency situation on the road can arise at any time and you must be prepared. In addition to making sure you have the tune-up, a full tank of gas, and fresh anti-freeze, you should carry the following items in your trunk:
-Properly inflated spare tire, wheel wrench and tripod-type jack
-Shovel
-Jumper cables
-Tow and tire chains
-Bag of salt or cat litter
-Tool kit
--Essential Supplies--Be prepared with a "survival kit" that should always remain in the car. Replenish after use. Essential supplies include:
-Working flashlight and extra batteries
-Reflective triangles and brightly-colored cloth
-Compass
-First aid kit
-Exterior windshield cleaner
-Ice scraper and snow brush
-Wooden stick matches in a waterproof container
-Scissors and string/cord-Non-perishable, high-energy foods like unsalted canned nuts, dried fruits, and hard candy.
-In addition, if you are driving long distances under cold, snowy, and icy conditions, you should also carry supplies to keep you warm such as heavy woolen mittens, socks, a cap and blankets.
--If You Become Stranded...
-Do not leave your car unless you know exactly where you are, how far it is to possible help, and are certain you will improve your situation.
-To attract attention, light two flares and place one at each end of the car a safe distance away.
-Hang a brightly colored cloth from your antenna.
-If you are sure the car's exhaust pipe is not blocked, run the engine and heater for about 10 minutes every hour or so depending upon the amount of gas in the tank.
-To protect yourself from frostbite and hypothermia use the woolen items and blankets to keep warm.
-Keep at least one window open slightly. Heavy snow and ice can seal a car shut.
-Eat a hard candy to keep your mouth moist.
http://www.weather.com/activities/driving/drivingsafety/drivingsafetytips/winterize.html#stranded
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
December Campaign Update - Transportation
Great job, everyone! We are having a wonderful response to the Idle Free campaign. We are half way through the month and already have 44 people pledging to turn off their cars rather than keeping them idle. Whether moving or not, a running car engine consumes fuel. Don't preheat; drive as soon as you start the engine. (An exception might be when for safety reasons, you have to defrost the windshield). Keep blankets/throws in your car if you or your kids are cold when you first start your engine; wear scarves and gloves.
Send me an email if you want to pledge to remain idle free and I will enter your name into this month's prize drawing and bring you an "Idle Free" glass cling.
Thanks to all who attended last week's Brown Bag. We had a fun time meeting with Elissa Richards of the National Energy Foundation and checking the air in our tires. About 50% of the tires we checked were low, so it is really important to check air pressure - once each month. Remember that keeping your tires properly inflated and aligned improves your gasoline mileage by around 3.3%.
Here are some additional ideas for saving fuel:
* Replace or clean air filters regularly. Clogged filters prevent air from entering the cylinder and will result in poor car performance and increase fuel consumption.
* Align your wheels properly.* Change oil and maintain your car regularly to find out problems on time.
* Use the right type of oil for your car. Using a different motor oil can lower gasoline mileage by 1-2%.
* Get regular engine tune-ups and car maintenance checks to avoid fuel economy problems due to worn spark plugs, dragging brakes, low transmission fluid, or transmission problems.
* Reduce the heaviness of your car - extra weight consumes fuel. If you have extra stuff that you must carry, put them inside the car or in the trunk as opposed to putting them on the roof rack. Loaded roof racks are known to decrease fuel economy more than 5%.
* Combine errands into one trip. Several short trips, each one taken from a cold start, can use twice as much fuel as one trip covering the same distance when the engine is warm.
* The use of cruise control when on the open highway saves gas by keeping the car at a steady speed.
Finally, I just want to mention that I am witnessing a cultural change in the Department. In the last few months, I have seen more recycling going on, more people turning off their appliances when not in use, and generally more people thinking about ways they can reduce energy consumption. I'm impressed and really appreciate all your efforts!!! You are awesome!!
Send me an email if you want to pledge to remain idle free and I will enter your name into this month's prize drawing and bring you an "Idle Free" glass cling.
Thanks to all who attended last week's Brown Bag. We had a fun time meeting with Elissa Richards of the National Energy Foundation and checking the air in our tires. About 50% of the tires we checked were low, so it is really important to check air pressure - once each month. Remember that keeping your tires properly inflated and aligned improves your gasoline mileage by around 3.3%.
Here are some additional ideas for saving fuel:
* Replace or clean air filters regularly. Clogged filters prevent air from entering the cylinder and will result in poor car performance and increase fuel consumption.
* Align your wheels properly.* Change oil and maintain your car regularly to find out problems on time.
* Use the right type of oil for your car. Using a different motor oil can lower gasoline mileage by 1-2%.
* Get regular engine tune-ups and car maintenance checks to avoid fuel economy problems due to worn spark plugs, dragging brakes, low transmission fluid, or transmission problems.
* Reduce the heaviness of your car - extra weight consumes fuel. If you have extra stuff that you must carry, put them inside the car or in the trunk as opposed to putting them on the roof rack. Loaded roof racks are known to decrease fuel economy more than 5%.
* Combine errands into one trip. Several short trips, each one taken from a cold start, can use twice as much fuel as one trip covering the same distance when the engine is warm.
* The use of cruise control when on the open highway saves gas by keeping the car at a steady speed.
Finally, I just want to mention that I am witnessing a cultural change in the Department. In the last few months, I have seen more recycling going on, more people turning off their appliances when not in use, and generally more people thinking about ways they can reduce energy consumption. I'm impressed and really appreciate all your efforts!!! You are awesome!!
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Transportation - December Campaign
Transportation - Protecting the Environment
Did you Know?
· The U.S. uses more than 20 million barrels of oil each day.
· 60% of our oil is imported.
· 68% is used for transportation.
· Oil imports cost us $270 billion annually (accounts for more than half of the oil used to produce the gasoline for our vehicles).
· Burning fossil fuels such as gasoline and diesel add greenhouse gasses, mostly carbon dioxide (C02) to the Earth’s atmosphere.
The Type of Vehicle We Purchase Makes A Difference:
· Vehicles with lower fuel economy burn more fuel, creating more CO2. Each vehicle creates about 20 pounds of CO2 (170 cu. ft.) per gallon of gasoline it consumes.
· Fuel-efficient vehicles can help strengthen our national energy security by reducing our dependence on foreign oil.
· By choosing a vehicle that achieves 25 miles per gallon rather than 20, we can prevent the release of about 17 tons (260,000 cu. ft.) of greenhouse gases over the lifetime of a vehicle.
· Electric vehicles (EVs) are propelled by an electric motor (or motors) powered by rechargeable battery packs. They are energy efficient and environmentally friendly; they reduce energy dependence and have performance benefits as follows:
-electric motors convert 75% of the chemical energy from the batteries to power the wheels;
-EVs emit no tailpipe pollutants, although the power plant producing the electricity may emit them;
-Electricity is a domestic energy source; and
-Electric motors provide quiet, smooth operation.
Our Driving Behavior Affects Fuel Consumption:
· Aggressive driving (speeding and rapid acceleration and braking) can lower gas mileage by an much as 33% at highway speeds and 5% around town.
· Observing the speed limit -- each 5 mph you drive over 60 mph can reduce fuel economy by 7-8%. (Source: Department of Energy).
· Idling is not good for our environment or for our vehicles:
-Idling is not an effective way to warm up your vehicle, even in cold weather. The best way to do this is to drive the vehicle.
-Excessive idling can actually damage engine components, including cylinders, spark plugs, and exhaust systems. Fuel is only partially combusted when idling because an engine does not operate at its peak temperature.
-Frequent restarting of a vehicle has little impact on engine components like the battery and the starter motor. The bottom line is that more than ten seconds of idling uses more fuel than restarting the engine.
-So, Be Idle Free!
·If you are in a drive-through or waiting for someone and could be parked and sitting for 10 seconds or longer, turn off you car engine.
·Idling is linked to increases in asthma, allergies, heart and lung disease and cancer.
·Idling for 1 hour burns nearly 1 gallon of gasoline.
Maintenance of Vehicle:
·Fixing a car that is noticeably out of tune can improve gas mileage by about 4%.
·Keeping tires inflated to the correct tire pressure can improve fuel economy by 5%.
·Keep tires aligned and balanced.
·Replacing a clogged air filter can improve gas mileage.
Did you Know?
· The U.S. uses more than 20 million barrels of oil each day.
· 60% of our oil is imported.
· 68% is used for transportation.
· Oil imports cost us $270 billion annually (accounts for more than half of the oil used to produce the gasoline for our vehicles).
· Burning fossil fuels such as gasoline and diesel add greenhouse gasses, mostly carbon dioxide (C02) to the Earth’s atmosphere.
The Type of Vehicle We Purchase Makes A Difference:
· Vehicles with lower fuel economy burn more fuel, creating more CO2. Each vehicle creates about 20 pounds of CO2 (170 cu. ft.) per gallon of gasoline it consumes.
· Fuel-efficient vehicles can help strengthen our national energy security by reducing our dependence on foreign oil.
· By choosing a vehicle that achieves 25 miles per gallon rather than 20, we can prevent the release of about 17 tons (260,000 cu. ft.) of greenhouse gases over the lifetime of a vehicle.
· Electric vehicles (EVs) are propelled by an electric motor (or motors) powered by rechargeable battery packs. They are energy efficient and environmentally friendly; they reduce energy dependence and have performance benefits as follows:
-electric motors convert 75% of the chemical energy from the batteries to power the wheels;
-EVs emit no tailpipe pollutants, although the power plant producing the electricity may emit them;
-Electricity is a domestic energy source; and
-Electric motors provide quiet, smooth operation.
Our Driving Behavior Affects Fuel Consumption:
· Aggressive driving (speeding and rapid acceleration and braking) can lower gas mileage by an much as 33% at highway speeds and 5% around town.
· Observing the speed limit -- each 5 mph you drive over 60 mph can reduce fuel economy by 7-8%. (Source: Department of Energy).
· Idling is not good for our environment or for our vehicles:
-Idling is not an effective way to warm up your vehicle, even in cold weather. The best way to do this is to drive the vehicle.
-Excessive idling can actually damage engine components, including cylinders, spark plugs, and exhaust systems. Fuel is only partially combusted when idling because an engine does not operate at its peak temperature.
-Frequent restarting of a vehicle has little impact on engine components like the battery and the starter motor. The bottom line is that more than ten seconds of idling uses more fuel than restarting the engine.
-So, Be Idle Free!
·If you are in a drive-through or waiting for someone and could be parked and sitting for 10 seconds or longer, turn off you car engine.
·Idling is linked to increases in asthma, allergies, heart and lung disease and cancer.
·Idling for 1 hour burns nearly 1 gallon of gasoline.
Maintenance of Vehicle:
·Fixing a car that is noticeably out of tune can improve gas mileage by about 4%.
·Keeping tires inflated to the correct tire pressure can improve fuel economy by 5%.
·Keep tires aligned and balanced.
·Replacing a clogged air filter can improve gas mileage.
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