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Automotive

Clean Lights, Tire Pressure Important In Winter

New Technology Can Help Control Spins

As the temperature drops, experts say there are certain things many people don't pay enough attention to when it comes to their vehicles and winter driving.

For instance, when cleaning off your windshield and other windows, take time to clean all your lights as well.

"(Lights) get snow covered and also dirt covered with the salt spray and slush spray from the road", said Diane Landry of General Motors. "You want to make sure that they are clean so that you have good visibility at nighttime. and also so other vehicles can see you."

Another important factor in winter driving is tire pressure.

"The tire is your only contact with the road," Landry said. "Most people don't know it, but the cold weather really affects the tire pressure ... especially with the ice and snow on the road, make sure your tires are inflated properly."

And if you are looking to buy a car or pickup anytime soon, she said you should consider a new technology available from several manufacturers known as stability-enhancement systems.

"If you start to spin out, the system essentially applies the brake at individual wheels ... depending on which way you're spinning out or if it's a front-wheel drive or rear-wheel drive, it applies that control at the correct wheel," Landry said.

While manufacturers like GM say vehicle stability-enhancement systems don't directly prevent crashes, they may help drivers avoid the conditions that can lead to rollovers and other serious accidents.

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