Center Feature ... Tips and Techniques for Driving Safely

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Driving safety begins before you even turn the key to start your car. Every driver should perform several easy safety checks before any trip and follow some important safety rules when traveling, especially during inclement weather.

Make sure your headlights and mirrors are clean. Dirt can reduce headlight output by as much as 70 percent. Check to see that your headlights, taillights, brake lights and turn signals work properly. Also be sure that your tires are set to the pressure recommended by the manufacturer. Under-inflated tires will reduce the handling abilities of your car.

"One of the most overlooked areas of the car is one of the most obvious when people are checking their car before a trip," said Kimberly Bucek, general manager of health, safety and environment for Castrol North America. "You should clean your car windows and apply a rain repellent to your windshield so you can improve visibility in inclement weather."

Applying Castrol Super Clean AccuVision to your windshield will provide a uniform coating that will repel rain, sleet and snow. In less than a minute, easy to use AccuVision will increase driving visibility by 40 percent.

The key to safe driving, especially during bad weather, is to buckle-up and drive defensively. There are five top safety tips to keep in mind when you drive:

1. The standard rule is to keep at least three seconds behind the car in front of you. To determine the distance, pick a stationary reference point and make sure it takes you at least three seconds to reach that point after the car in front of you passes it. During difficult driving conditions, allow more distance between yourself and the vehicle in front of you.
2. Anticipate problems using the 12-second rule. Focus on traffic approximately 12 seconds in front of you, looking for brake lights, sudden lane changes and merging traffic.
3. Reduce your speed to match the road conditions. The slower you drive, the more time you have to react to situations in front of you.
4. If you must stop suddenly and your car is equipped with anti-lock brakes, do not pump the brake pedal. Instead, apply gentle but firm pressure and allow the brakes to slow the car. To regain control during a skid, release the brakes and look in the direction you want to go and steer the car in that direction.
5. When traveling, carry safety items, such as a cell phone, flares, winter or rain gear, nonperishable food items, Castrol AccuVision, and a flashlight with extra batteries.

For more driving safety tips, simply log on to www.castrolusa.com and "Ask the Expert."