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Utah driving lesson · Distractions & Driving Challenges

Hot, cold, and winter weather

A 4-minute lesson from the Utah course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.

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Read time
4 minutes
Course unit
Distractions & Driving Challenges
Checkpoint questions
5
Source pages
72, 73

Utah's weather runs from desert heat to deep winter. Heat is hard on tires, oil, and coolant. Winter brings fog, snow, ice, and fewer daylight hours, so prepare your car early and carry a survival kit.

Hot weather checks:

  • Tires: check mounting and pressure every two hours or 100 miles; don't let air out as they heat up
  • Engine oil: make sure there's enough; keep oil temperature in the normal range
  • Coolant: enough water and antifreeze; if the gauge goes above safe, stop as soon as safely possible
  • Bleeding tar: tar rising to the surface in heat can be slippery
Handbook p. 72 ↗

Know the rule

In winter, use your low beams to avoid glare in fog, rain, or snow.

Handbook p. 72 ↗

Know the rule

Put good snow tires on before the first snowfall. For front-wheel-drive vehicles, it is best to put snow or all-season tires on all four wheels.

Handbook p. 72 ↗
Oct 15 – Mar 31

Dates when snow tires with metal studs may be used each year

Handbook p. 72 ↗

Know the rule

During ice or snowstorms, especially under a weather advisory, drive only if essential. First clear ice and snow from headlights, taillights, wipers, and all windows, and fill the reservoir with freeze-resistant washer fluid.

Handbook p. 72 ↗

Know the rule

Drive slowly even with good traction, but don't disrupt the flow by driving faster than everyone else. Bridges, ramps, and overpasses are likely to freeze first, and slippery spots may remain after plowing.

Handbook p. 72 ↗

Winter survival kit:

  • Properly inflated spare tire, shovel, jumper cables, tow and tire chains
  • Bag of salt or sand, and a tool kit
  • Flashlight with extra batteries, reflective triangles, brightly colored cloth
  • Compass, first aid kit, ice scraper, snow brush, exterior windshield cleaner
  • Matches in a waterproof container, blankets, woolen gloves, socks, and hat
  • Water and energy foods such as unsalted nuts, dried fruit, and hard candy
Handbook p. 72 ↗

If stranded in cold weather, stay with your vehicle and:

  • Turn on your hazard lights
  • Light two flares, one at each end of the vehicle, and hang a bright cloth from a window or mirror
  • Keep the exhaust pipe clear of snow; fumes can leak in and kill
  • Run the engine and heater about 10 minutes each hour, then turn it off
  • Keep at least one window open for fresh air to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning
  • Keep at least one person awake at all times; use blankets against frostbite
Handbook p. 73 ↗

Brakes in freezing weather may:

  • Not work for several hundred feet, then suddenly grab
  • Freeze solid, causing complete loss of brakes
  • Fail to release once applied
  • Prevention: lightly touch your brakes occasionally
Handbook p. 73 ↗

Put it into practice

Your car slides off a snowy road and you're stuck miles from town. You stay with the car, turn on your hazards, clear the exhaust pipe, crack a window, and run the engine about 10 minutes each hour to stay warm.

Check your understanding

Read the question, decide on an answer, then open it to check the explanation. These are Roadwise study questions based on the source handbook.

During what dates may snow tires with metal studs be used in Utah?
  1. November 1 through February 28
  2. October 15 through March 31
  3. October 1 through April 30
  4. December 1 through March 1

Answer: October 15 through March 31

Snow tires with metal studs may be used from October 15 through March 31 each year.

Handbook p. 72 ↗
What does the handbook say to do with your winter survival kit?
  1. Keep it in the vehicle and restock it after use
  2. Pack it only when a storm is forecast
  3. Store it at home until the first snowfall
  4. Replace it once every five years

Answer: Keep it in the vehicle and restock it after use

The survival kit should always remain in the vehicle and be replenished after each use.

Handbook p. 72 ↗
Stranded in your car during a snowstorm, how long should you run the engine and heater?
  1. About 30 minutes each hour
  2. Continuously until help arrives
  3. About 10 minutes each hour
  4. About 5 minutes every three hours

Answer: About 10 minutes each hour

Run the engine about 10 minutes each hour to warm the interior and charge the battery, keep the exhaust clear, and leave a window open.

Handbook p. 73 ↗
Which headlights should you use in fog, rain, or snow to avoid glare?
  1. High beams
  2. Low beams
  3. Parking lights
  4. Hazard flashers

Answer: Low beams

Use your low beams to avoid glare in fog, rain, or snow.

Handbook p. 72 ↗
When sleet or freezing rain begins, bridges, ramps, and overpasses are likely to freeze first.
  1. True
  2. False

Answer: True

Bridges, ramps, and overpasses are likely to freeze first, and slippery spots may remain even after plowing.

Handbook p. 72 ↗
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