Car accidents, big or small, are never an ideal situation to be in. Luckily, there are things you can do to reduce your chances of being involved in one.

Tips to Help You Stay Safe on the Road This Winter

It's no secret that the majority of drivers would rather not be involved in car accidents. Dealing with insurance, car issues, and even health issues can cause something that took five seconds to stretch out over months. The problem is accidents aren't always avoidable. Although they're not completely avoidable, there are things you can do to reduce your risk of being involved in a car accident. These tips can help you stay accident-free for longer.

Take Care of Vehicle Maintenance

To start, be sure your car is always in the best condition possible. This means you need to keep up with seasonal maintenance and get any car issues fixed as they come up. Pay extra attention to your brakes, tires, and fluids. You need your brakes to be in top shape in order to be able to stop quickly and effectively while in traffic. Your tires are the only contact you have with the road, so they need to have plenty of tread left in order to grip the road well. Your fluids are basically what keep your car running. If these are running low or aren't in good condition, your car can suffer serious damage and even stop suddenly on the road.

Remove Driving Distractions

Now that you're sure your car is in great shape, it's time to reduce those distractions that cause you to take your eyes off the road. Most of us are easily distracted by all of the pings and notifications coming from our phone. If this is true for you, turn your phone off or put it on silent while you're driving. If you're expecting an important call, have one of your passengers keep an eye on your phone for you and pull over before answering a call. Other distractions, like applying makeup, getting dressed, or eating, should be taken care of before getting in the car. If you find yourself performing these tasks daily during your commute, get up earlier to be sure you have enough time to get ready.

Practice Defensive Driving

Even if you're a super cautious driver, this doesn't guarantee that other drivers will also be careful on the road. Many drivers are distracted or just plain reckless, which is why you have to practice defensive driving. Scan the road ahead of you and take note of drivers who seem to swerving in and out of lanes, speeding, or changing lanes without signaling. Do your best to keep a safe distance from them. It also helps to scan the intersection instead of taking off as soon as your light turns green. Red light runners aren't uncommon, so be sure to watch out for them. To ensure your car stays in great shape, give it a synthetic oil change in Kyle. The oil experts at Syntex Lubricants can help you find all the products you need to keep your car running well. Contact them at (512) 848- 8240 to learn more about their full range of products. You can check out all of their AMSOIL Oil products in their online shop.

Slow Down

Always stay at or below the posted speed limit in order to stay safe. The speed limit wasn't randomly chosen, it was carefully chosen in order to keep drivers safe. Especially during the winter, don't be afraid to drive slower than the posted speed limit. Slick road conditions and reduced visibility can make you feel unsafe, so slow down to a speed where you feel comfortable.

Avoid Driving Through Bad Weather

Rough winter weather can be tricky to drive through, so if you don't have to get on the road, don't. If you can put off running errands until after a storm, do so. The reduced traction, minimized visibility, and the added strain on your car can result in bad news. It also helps to check the weather before heading out the door so that you can avoid bad weather on your way back as well.

Pay Attention to Road Conditions

A great way to stay safe on the road is by scanning the road ahead of you. Look out for road dangers so that they don't take you by surprise. Identify potholes on the road as well as open grates so that you don't have to suddenly swerve to avoid them. Look out for other potential dangers, such as puddles, piles of leaves, and ice. Do your best to avoid construction zones and always keep an eye out for pedestrians.

Synthetic Oil Change in Kyle

Keep your car in top shape with a synthetic oil change in Kyle. Contact Syntex Lubricants at (512) 848- 8240 to get product recommendations, like AMSOIL's Signature Series 0W-40 Synthetic Motor Oil, designed to keep your engine cleaner and healthier.