Do you have a Honda Civic that you are thinking about taking to the snow? We will give you all you need to know about whether this is a good idea, or if you should skip the trip or go with another vehicle.
Snow can seem like a hassle to drive in, but with the wrong vehicle, it can actually be quite dangerous. However, driving a Honda Civic in the snow handles just fine and with a little preparation, you can have a great vehicle to take onto the snow-laden roads.
There is more to think about than just knowing that your car can handle the weather. You need to know how to prepare your vehicle to take on the sleet and snow on the streets by making sure your Civic is ready for it.
Find out how much preparation is needed for your car and whether it is ready to take onto the roads right away.
Handling on the Road
A Honda Civic is not the biggest car around, which means that you will not be able to speed through large snow piles and do whatever you want on the road. But this doesn’t mean that you can’t drive on it at all.
Honda civics have good engines and although they are a bit on the smaller side, they can handle quite a bit of snow. With a little extra help, they will be able to handle much more than you might think.
1. Snow Tires
One of the major things that should be changed before you drive on snow is the kind of tires that you have on your vehicle. During most of the year, normal tires will do just fine, but snowy weather will require special snow tires to avoid slipping.
Snow tires are made to be able to handle the weather conditions that come with snow, whether it is light and fresh snow or packed in and hard snow. They are made with materials that allow them to remain soft even in cold weather and have a special tread that is better equipped to drive in the snow.
If you don’t have snow tires, then you have a higher risk of getting into an accident when in inclement weather.
So, it is best to be prepared and have snow tires fitted for your Civic when winter begins, or to have them on hand so you can change them yourself when the snow starts to fall.
2. Being Prepared To Get Stuck
In any vehicle, you have a higher chance of getting stuck in an area where there is an accident, a sudden pile of snow, or other issues that could occur. It is best to be prepared for the worst, just in case!
You don’t want to come across a huge pile of snow that you can’t get through only to get stuck with no food or water while a tow truck or passerby comes to help you out. So, it is best to have some things in your car that will help you get through it.
Having some food and water for the situation is a good idea when the weather is very bad and you might not be able to get help right away. Also, having flares or flashlights in your trunk to signal help can help a lot as well.
You might also want a small shovel that can be used to unpack snow in areas where it might get packed in and hard. If you happen to get stuck because you run over a large snow pile, you can move it and get back on the road in minutes.
Although you might never have to deal with this, the weather can be unpredictable and cause issues that you thought would never happen. So, it is best to prepare for the worst, but hope for the best.
Winter Driving Tips
Drivers with smaller cars like a Honda Civic might feel like their car is too small to handle bad weather, but most cars are capable of driving in the snow.
As long as they have snow tires and bring along things that they could use to shovel snow if they need to, then they will likely be fine!
However, driving in the snow is not the same as driving in moderate weather. You need to adjust how you drive on the snowy streets and know how to handle your car when there are patches of ice or sleet present.
Here are some winter driving tips that will allow you to keep control of your car in all situations and allow you to get to your destination safely in all weather.
#1 Keep Your Tank Filled
In the cold months, you push your engine to do more work to be able to run your car, and this uses up more gas than usual. This might mean that a short trip to the store or to work might require a stop at the gas station more often than normal.
You do not want to risk having an empty tank and getting stuck walking to a gas station nearby in the snow.
So, it is recommended that you keep your gas tank filled at least halfway through the winter months to ensure that this won’t happen.
#2 Fill Your Tires
Once you know that the weather is getting colder you want to make sure that your tires, whether they are snow tires or not, are filled to the proper pressure recommended.
Driving on tires that are lower than they should be could cause them to rupture.
Having to stay on the side of the road for roadside assistance is difficult when snow is falling and can be a long wait because more accidents are happening than throughout the rest of the year.
Waiting for over an hour in the snow is not comfortable and can be bad for your Civic’s engine.
So, make sure that your tires are filled up to where they should be and keep yourself and your vehicle safe from sitting on the side of the road.
#3 Warm Your Car in Open Areas
When you are getting in your car, you will want to warm up the engine for a while before you head out. However, you don’t want to do this in an enclosed area, like your garage.
The fumes from the vehicle can be harmful to you when you are in a space that doesn’t allow air to circulate. Opening the garage door to let air in can help, or starting the car and backing into the driveway can give you the open space you need.
Parking your car in the driveway or on the street is another option that will allow you to not have to move your car until it is fully warmed up.
#4 Be Wary Of Cruise Control
Cruise control is great for certain situations, but you don’t want to use it while there is ice or snow on the road.
This could be dangerous and cause you to lose control of the car if you lose traction at any time.
You want to remain in control of the car at all times when driving in the snow because you might have to avoid snow piles and ice patches on the street. This will make it harder to regain control if something happens, which makes it a bad idea to use in bad weather.
#5 Drive at a Slower Speed
When the roads are clear of many cars and you can see a straight shot down the way, it might be tempting to take advantage of it and speed up. However, this is not a good idea.
Snowy weather requires you to drive slower in order to stay safe, and going around ten miles slower will help you stay on the road and stop you from swerving on wet patches as you would if you drove at a higher speed.
#6 Stay Farther Behind the Car in Front of You
The distance that you usually keep between the car in front of you should be extended to give yourself a longer time to brake. The road will be more slippery and it will take longer to come to a full stop.
This could cause you to crash into the car in front of you if you don’t keep back far enough. So, give yourself plenty of space, just to be safe.
Conclusion
Driving a Honda Civic in the snow is not an issue when you are prepared for it. Even with a smaller vehicle like the Civic, you can drive most streets whether it is raining or snowing.
Every car should take some extra precautions when driving in the snow, but with a few adjustments to speed and car distance, everyone can be safe on the road in bad weather conditions.
As long as you warm up your car and have snow tires on your vehicle, you will find that you can drive any snowy road.
Use our tips to ensure that you are fully prepared for the snow in your Civic, and come back when you need to refresh your memory.
