The first rains of the season hit the Los Angeles area this week, temperatures are dropping all over the country as autumn weather moves in. Some colder climates have already gotten their first snows!

This is the perfect time to change your wiper blades,  as well as perform a quick safety checks to increase safety during inclement weather, especially during the approaching winter months.

Clear visibility through the use of effective wiper blades and a windshield treatment while driving can improve reaction times by up to a full second in poor weather conditions.  When traveling at 60 mph, a full second can equate to 100 feet and may be the difference in avoiding a potential accident.1

I'm passionate about spreading this important safety messages to women who may be driving with "precious cargo on board" - now is the time to change their wiper blades and prepare their vehicles for unpredictable driving conditions. 

Here are several tips to stay safe amid the rain, snow, slush, and ice: 

• * Conduct a regular walk around your vehicle, checking its lights, antifreeze, windshield washer fluid, and wiper blades regularly.
• * Ensure that your tires are properly inflated by checking tire pressure once a month and make sure they have sufficient tread. Keeping your tires inflated properly prevents blow outs and maintains better fuel economy.
• * As the temperature drops, keep your gas tank at least half full; the extra gas helps reduce condensation that can plug your fuel line with ice and stall your engine in cooler weather.
• * Create an emergency pack of items such as a blanket, a first aid kit, snacks, bottled water, an ice scraper, a flashlight and a bag of kitty litter, and keep it in your vehicle. Such items can be critical during roadside emergencies in heavy rain or snow storms.
• * Make sure your vehicle is completely up to date on regular scheduled maintenance to avoid costly repairs, reduce C02 emissions, and maintain optimum fuel economy

In addition to keeping these emergency items in the vehicle, drivers should adjust their driving habits in inclement weather. Drivers should slow down when the roadways are wet, leave extra distance between your vehicle and the one in front of you, and be sure to use signals when changing lanes to indicate your intentions. Utilizing these quick and easy safety tips can help keep everyone safer on the roads."

For additional information on automotive safety  and car care and maintenance tips please visit us at www.askpatty.com!

Creative commons snowy wiper photo via Soundman1024 at flickr.com