(NAPSA)—As parents, have you taught your teenager the dos and don’ts of safe winter driving? There are unwritten rules that come with the driving experience that teenslack. “As a parent, I take great concern in making sure my children are aware of the dangers involved with winter driving conditions,” said Richard Courtney, Director of Research & Development and Technical Services/Consumer Relations for Prestone Products. “First and foremost, I have their vehicles checked thoroughly. Winter tends to magnify any problems a vehicle might have.” “Make sure your new driver checks their tire tread and windshield wipers as well as washer fluid and antifreeze/coolant levels. The proper mixture of antifreeze/ coolant is necessary to avoid engine freeze-ups in frigid temperatures. Prestone Antifreeze/ Coolant protects engines from -84F to +276F for cooling systems in automobiles and light trucks,” continues Courtney. It’s also a good idea to switch to a winter wiper blade. They are more durable and designed to handle snow and ice better. If wipers aren’t working properly or if there is a lack of fluid in the reservoir, the combination of salt and ice may reduce your teen’s ability to see other vehicles or objects on the road. Remind teens to turn on their headlights any time they need to use their windshield wipers. It will help improve their visibility and allow them to be seen better by other motorists and in somestates, it’s the law. Emphasize the importance of clearing off the entire car, not just a portion of the windshield. If the vehicle hasn’t been properly cleared off, it not only creates hazardous situations for your child, but other motorists on the road as well. We recommend using a washer fluid that doesn’t freeze when temperatures plummet,” suggests Courtney. “Prestone De- Icer Washer Fluid helps remove light ice and frost. The yellow Make sure your teen driver is prepared for any roadside emergenciesthis winter. formula won’t freeze in the washerreservoir to temperatures as low as -34F, and guards against re-freeze. Many generic fluids can either freeze in the reservoir or crystallize on the windshield, making it nearly impossibleto see clearly.” Although these preventative maintenance tips do help, they by no means serve as a complete deterrent to potential problems. Prepare your teen for a roadside emergency with a special winter kit that includes: Vv A cell phone v A portable jump starter VA flashlight and extra batteries V Emergencyflares v A tire inflator and sealer V Warm clothes and blankets V Extra de-icer washerfluid and a spray de-icer “Ice scraper with a snow brush Y Tire traction product v Shovel Courtney adds, “It is a good safety precaution to keep more than a half tank of gas in the vehicle during winter. It'll be the only source of heat if they are stranded. And stress the importance of always wearingseat belts with your teenage driver.” Parents should accompany their teenager on their first road trip and let them practice before venturing onto slick, snowy roads for the first time. Emphasizing the significance of these safety tips may change a disastrous situation into a simple inconvenience.
