With the first snowfall in Chicago imminent, here are a few things to keep in mind.

*  It’s always good to warm up your car before braving the snow and cold weather, but always remember to warm up your car in an open area; exhaust fumes can be very dangerous in closed areas.
*  Accelerate and decelerate slowly, it is the best way for your tires to regain traction on the road. Suddenly pressing the pedal down can cause the tires to spin out and dig a hole for your tire or spin out your car.
*  Adjust your time schedule for the additional time it will take with warming up your car and the slow traffic with everyone being careful in the snow.
*  Make sure your tires are properly inflated all the time. Just as in any weather, properly filled tires have better traction to the road.
*  Know your brakes. The best way to brake in snowy weather is threshold breaking. Keep the heel of your foot on the floor and use the ball of your foot to apply firm, steady pressure on the brake pedal.