Tag Archives: driving safety tips

What to Do If Your Car Breaks Down This Winter in Alberta

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Car breakdown | High River, AB

Even when you take precautions, your vehicle could still break down and put you in a risky situation during a frigid Alberta winter. It’s a good idea to have a plan in place so you don’t panic, and these tips are a good place to start.

Stay Put

If you get stranded in nasty weather, it’s usually best to stay put in your vehicle, call for help, and wait instead of getting out and exposing yourself to cold temperatures and blinding snow. If you can still run the engine, it’s OK to turn it on for a bit to operate the heater, but keep a window open and try not to empty the gas tank. If you do run out of gas, keep the windows shut so the cabin doesn’t lose all its warmth.

Conserve Your Energy

If your vehicle is stuck in snow, it’s typically better to wait for help and try to stay warm. Exiting the vehicle and trying to dig yourself out could sap your energy at a time when you really need it. If for some reason it’s unsafe to stay in your vehicle, cover your face and bundle up as securely as possible and seek shelter out of the wind.

Be Prepared

You can’t always avoid a breakdown, but you can be prepared for when it happens. Keep your vehicle stocked with blankets, flares, food and water, a charged cellphone, and other emergency supplies.

It’s also a good idea to stay up to date on maintenance during the winter months so your vehicle is in the best condition possible. For your safety and peace of mind, schedule an appointment soon with the High River Toyota service department here in High River, Alberta.

Build Safe Driving Habits with These New Year’s Resolutions

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2022 Toyota Tundra | High River, AB

Cultivating safe driving habits is a great way to protect yourself and everyone else around you in High River, Alberta. Whether you’re already doing great or need a refresher, these New Year’s resolutions for the road will keep you focused heading into 2022.

Don’t drive distracted

This is a really important one. Put your phone away when you drive — reading or sending that text isn’t worth the risk of a serious collision. It’s also a good idea to reduce other distractions, like talking to passengers or interacting with your navigation system.

Stick to the speed limit

Driving over the speed limit puts you at greater risk for a crash, so slow down — and leave a little earlier to give yourself more time to travel. As a secondary benefit, sticking to the posted speed limit can also help you save money on gas.

Keep up with service

Keeping up with vehicle service should be one of your highest-priority New Year’s resolutions. Regular oil changes and tire rotations will help your vehicle last longer — and operate more safely, too.

Ready to start 2022 the right way? Our service team here at High River Toyota is ready and waiting to help you get caught up on maintenance and more.

Driving Safety Tips for Rough Alberta Winters

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Winter driving can be precarious, especially when the snow begins to accumulate throughout Alberta. If you’re wondering how you can stay safer during these chilly months, consider keeping these winter driving safety tips in mind.

s | High River Toyota | Calgary, AB

Keep a light touch on your brakes

Slamming on your brakes when roads are slick can cause a number of things to happen — including a skid. If you find yourself needing to stop quickly, remember to pump your brakes to help you stop without sliding.

Know your skids and how to get out of them

No matter how good you are at winter driving, you still may find yourself skidding on icy roads. If your front wheels have lost traction, simply ease off the gas pedal and steer your vehicle in the direction you want to go and don’t touch any of the pedals.

If you find yourself in a rear-wheel skid, you’ll want to turn your steering wheel into the direction the rear of the vehicle is moving, allowing your vehicle to straighten out. Once again, try not to use the pedals until you’re out of the skid.

Space yourself out from other vehicles

Increase your following distance between you and the vehicle in front of you so you’ll have time to stop in case anything happens with the vehicle in front of you.

Ensure you have good visibility

Before you head out, clear off your vehicle’s windows, hood, taillights, and headlights. This will help you see while driving. Be sure to clear off as much of the roof as possible so that you don’t send sheets of snow or ice at the vehicle behind you when driving.

Here at High River Toyota, we know it can be stressful to drive through our harsh Canadian winters. But with these tips, we hope you’ll have a safe experience on every journey.