As winter comes around in Chicago, and you use a car as a source of transportation, you may ask yourself how you can prepare your car for the winter and drive safely.

Winter driving can be very challenging due to snow, ice, and cold temperatures in the city. To stay safe on the road during winter, there are many things you can do to ensure that your car’s maintenance is up to date, including brakes, tires, battery, and fluids. Another important thing to look out for while driving is black ice on bridges, overpasses, and shady areas, as they can freeze quickly.

Students who drive to school can seek alternative transportation options in case their car cannot handle the conditions of the weather. Temperatures in the city could often drop a lot If you get stuck or stranded you should consider staying inside your car. It provides better shelter than being outside, you should also not Panic, which can lead to poor decision-making. Stay calm and focused on resolving the situation.  Overall students should Operate their vehicles slowly and smoothly during winter including brakes, steering, acceleration, and changing gears, and also Maintain a greater braking distance between their car and the vehicle in front of them to not provoke any crashes during winter

After conducting a survey this is what students and teachers had to say:

“We put antifreeze in the car and keep a snow brush in the backseat. We also keep a mini air compressor in case the pressure in our tire gets too low,” says senior Gianelle Virella.

It is seen that the Chicago weather has an effect on cars in the winter, and it is best to stay prepared.

“Drive slower and with more caution, and always be careful of others, especially if they are speeding,” says senior Alejandro Molina.

As a new driver, winter safety precautions are definitely a priority in staying safe on the roads.

“Get the oils and tires, and some other things, even taking it to the mechanic to see if the heaters are working or the tires are snow proof,” states Spanish teacher Ms. Mendoza.

In doing this, she is ensuring that her car is safe for the roads, as the roads in Chicago tend to become slippery and unsafe.

“Winter tires let the car heat up longer,” says Junior Melanie Desantiago.

The weather can get pretty cold, and it can take a while for the inside of the car to get warm. So, in a sense, it is a great way to prepare the car.

“They use a device that can charge the car battery,” says senior Giselle Casillas.

As we know, the weather can damage the engines of our cars in the winter. So, in order to avoid that, preparing the car is absolutely crucial.

Many of these students and teachers had similar responses and preparations for what’s to come in these colder months.