Tips for Driving in Charleston, WV

If you live in Charleston, WV, you know to expect a pretty wide range of weather conditions. As a result, it can take a little extra preparation to ensure safe driving year-round. In the guide below, the Charleston and Huntington locals at Mercedes-Benz of Charleston list our favorite tips for driving in Charleston — including tips for driving in the snow, tips for driving in the rain, and more.

Safety Tips for Driving in the Rain

No list of Charleston, WV driving tips would be complete without a discussion of rainy day driving. It’s not exactly the Amazon rainforest around here, but we do enjoy a good deal of overcast and rainy days. That means you’ll need to pay extra attention to your traction on the road in Bridgeport. For optimal safety, get familiar with the following safety tips for driving in rainy conditions: 

• Brake gently. In rainy conditions, your tires won’t grip the road quote as well. Instead of braking as you normally do, take your foot off the accelerator earlier than normal and come to a stop more gradually.
• Drive carefully through standing water. If water on the road in Huntington is deep enough, it can cause your tires to lose traction. The best way to deal with this is to pay attention to the road surface and simply steer around areas of standing water. If you can’t avoid them, drive slowly and only brake or adjust the steering when necessary.
• Hydroplaning? Stay calm and coast through. If your tires lose traction due to water on the road surface, your car may slide along the surface of the water. That’s called hydroplaning, and it’s a common cause of rainy-day accidents. If you feel your car sliding on the road while driving in rainy conditions, take your foot off the gas. Without making any abrupt steering movements, allow your car to coast until you regain traction.

Our Tips for Driving in the Snow

Even if your Mercedes-Benz is equipped with winter tires and four-wheel drive, snowy drives aren’t always a walk in the park. Check out our top 5 tips for driving in Charleston when winter comes:

• Give yourself more time to brake and accelerate. When the roads in Bridgeport are icy, your car needs more time to gain speed or slow down. Gentle use of the gas and brake pedals will help your car maintain a good grip on the road surface.
• Increase your following distance. Increase your following margin to about five or six seconds. This will give you the time to slow down safely if the car in front stops or slows abruptly.
• Learn about your car’s safety systems. Make sure you’re familiar with your Mercedes-Benz vehicle’s driver-assist safety features. These technologies will have a big impact on how your car behaves in the event of a collision, and can be customized to your driving needs.
• Stay up-to-date with brake services. You’ll find regular brake maintenance on your manufacturer-recommended service schedule. Use Mercedes me to remind you when it’s about time for Mercedes-Benz service!
• Don’t try to power up hills. This just may be the most important of all tips for driving in the snow! It may be tempting, but going hard on the gas won’t get you to the top of a snow-covered hill. In fact, applying the gas now may cause your tires to dig into the snow. If you must tackle a snowy hill, gather speed at the bottom of the hill and let your momentum carry you to the top. When you reach the crest, gently apply the brakes and continue down the other side.

Rely on Mercedes-Benz of Charleston for Car-Care and Safety Tips

Whether you’re looking for Mercedes-Benz tech info or wondering how to keep your car in top shape between scheduled services, we’re happy to help! Contact us with any questions about our dealership, or for information about Charleston, WV.