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<\/p>\n8 tips for driving on Northern California roads during rain, snowstorms<\/p>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tVEHICLE READINESS REFRESHER. PREPARING FOR WHAT WE KNOW IS SOON TO ARRIVE TO OUR REGION WILL MAKE GETTING THROUGH IT EASIER AND SAFER. SO WE WENT STRAIGHT TO A FEW CAR AND DRIVING EXPERTS FOR WINTER DRIVING REMINDERS. THERE ARE SO MANY THINGS TO CHECK WITH THE SEVERE WEATHER WE\u2019VE GOT COMING IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS, THESE LEAVES WILL GET UNDER YOUR HOOD. THEY\u2019LL FALL DOWN BEHIND THE HOOD AND CLOG UP YOUR VENTS. YOUR DEFROSTER WON\u2019T WORK. WE\u2019LL HAVE CARS COME IN. THEY WON\u2019T FIGURE OUT WHY THEY\u2019RE THERE. DEFROSTER BLOWER ISN\u2019T WORKING AND IT\u2019S BECAUSE THE VENTS ARE PLUGGED UP WITH LEAVES. OUR NAPA AUTO CENTER OWNER, BILL MCANALLY, KNOWING WHAT EVEN HIS TRUCK NEEDS RIGHT NOW. THE WEATHER HAS BEEN HOT. YOU HATE TO PUT ON NEW WINDSHIELD WIPERS IN THE HOT CONDITIONS, BUT I PULLED IT IN THIS MORNING KNOWING WHAT WE\u2019VE GOT COMING IN THE NEXT COUPLE DAYS, BECAUSE EVEN MY VEHICLE, I NEED SOME WIPERS. LOOK AT THAT. IT IS TIME. DUSTING OFF THE CHAINS. ALSO IMPORTANT WHEN SNOW IS ON THE HIGHWAY. TRACTION DEVICES ARE REQUIRED FOR SIERRA TRAVEL. SO TOO IS KNOWING HOW AND WHERE TO INSTALL THEM. THERE IS FRONT WHEEL DRIVE AND REAR WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLES. YOU WANT TO PUT THE TRACTION DEVICE ON THE WHEELS THAT ARE ACTUALLY MAKING THE CAR GO, OTHERWISE YOU KNOW IT\u2019S NOT GOING TO DO ANY GOOD. A CHECK OF THE LIGHTS. ALWAYS A GOOD ACTION TO TAKE AS YOU GET INTO RAINY MONTHS. IT\u2019S REALLY HARD WHEN THE GROUND IS WET TO SEE THE LINES, SO YOU WANT TO HAVE YOUR HEADLIGHTS AIMED PROPERLY SO YOU HELP YOU SEE. WE CHECK BOTH FRONT AND REAR LIGHTS JUST TO MAKE SURE THEY ALL FUNCTION. WHEN YOU\u2019RE IN THE SNOW AND IT IS WHITEOUT CONDITIONS, YOU WANT TO HAVE PROPER TAIL LIGHTS TOO. THAT WAY YOU DON\u2019T GET REAR ENDED AND LEAVE IT TO OUR OWN TRAFFIC EXPERT BRIAN HICKEY TO GIVE US HIS $0.02 ON HOW TO MAKE SURE YOU\u2019RE HITTING THE ROAD WITH TIRES THAT ARE UP TO THE TASK. THERE\u2019S A SIMPLE WAY TO CHECK IT, AND THAT\u2019S WHERE THE PENNY. YOU DON\u2019T NEED ANY FANCY EQUIPMENT, JUST A $0.01 COPPER PENNY. AND HERE\u2019S HOW IT WORKS. YOU\u2019RE GOING TO BRING IT DOWN TO YOUR TIRE. YOU\u2019RE GOING TO TURN IT UPSIDE DOWN SO THAT MR. LINCOLN IS UPSIDE DOWN, AND YOU\u2019RE GOING TO STICK IT RIGHT INSIDE THE TREAD HERE AND INSIDE THE TREAD. IF THE TREAD IS TALLER THAN THE TOP OF LINCOLN\u2019S HEAD, IT\u2019S DEEP ENOUGH. BUT IF YOU CAN SEE THE TOP OF LINCOLN\u2019S HEAD, YOUR TREAD IS TOO LOW, AND YOU\u2019RE GOING TO LIKELY NOT HAVE ENOUGH TRACTION WHEN IT COMES WET OR SNOWY. SEASON MELANIE WINGO KCRA THREE NEWS. AND A FEW OTHER REMINDERS FROM THE EXPERTS. GET YOUR BRAKES, HEATER, AND EXHAUST SYSTEM. CHECK. CHECK YOUR ANTIFREEZE AND WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID LEVELS. NOW FILL YOUR GAS TANK OR MAKE SURE YOU FULLY CHARGE YOUR ELECTRIC VEHICLE BATTERY. ALSO, CARRY A BAG IN YOUR CAR WITH EXTRA FOOD, WATER, BLANKETS\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n
8 tips for driving on Northern California roads during rain, snowstorms<\/p>\n
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\n\t\t\tUpdated: 1:47 PM PDT Oct 13, 2025\n\t\t<\/p>\n
\t\tEditorial Standards \u24d8<\/a><\/p>\n \n\t\t\t\t\t\tWhen storms are expected in Northern California, it’s best to stay prepared to get through them more safely and easily. Ahead of the region’s first major storm of the season, the California Highway Patrol posted on its website several ideas for making sure people and their vehicles are ready for rain and snow.The list includes the following winter driving suggestions:Make sure your brakes, windshield wipers, defroster, heater and exhaust system are in top condition.Check antifreeze level. Purchase winter weather-specific windshield fluid to prevent icing.Check the vehicle’s tires. Make sure they are properly inflated and the tread is in good condition.Carry chains or traction devices and make sure to know whether the vehicle is front or rear wheel drive, as chains must be installed on the appropriate \u201cdrive\u201d wheels.Make sure chains are the proper size for the vehicle\u2019s tires and that they’re in working order.Carry water, food, warm blankets and extra clothing in the vehicle in case of a highway closure or detour.Keep the gas tank full or the electric vehicle fully charged.It may be necessary to change routes or turn back during a bad storm, or you may be caught in a traffic delay.To see the full CHP winter driving tips list, visit this link.KCRA 3 checked in with a few car and driving experts for their winter driving reminders. Watch the video in the player above for advice from BMR NAPA Autocare Center and KCRA 3 traffic expert Brian Hickey on smooth wintertime travel.REAL-TIME TRAFFIC MAPClick here to see our interactive traffic map.TRACK INTERACTIVE, DOPPLER RADARClick here to see our interactive radar.DOWNLOAD OUR APP FOR THE LATESTHere is where you can download our app.Follow our KCRA weather team on social mediaMeteorologist Tamara Berg on Facebook and X.Meteorologist Dirk Verdoorn on FacebookMeteorologist\/Climate Reporter Heather Waldman on Facebook and X.Meteorologist Kelly Curran on X.Meteorologist Ophelia Young on Facebook and X.Watch our forecasts on TV or onlineHere’s where to find our latest video forecast. You can also watch a livestream of our latest newscast here. The banner on our website turns red when we’re live.We’re also streaming on the Very Local app for Roku, Apple TV or Amazon Fire TV.See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\tSACRAMENTO, Calif. \u2014 \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n When storms are expected in Northern California, it’s best to stay prepared to get through them more safely and easily. <\/p>\n Ahead of the region’s first major storm of the season, the California Highway Patrol posted on its website several ideas<\/a> for making sure people and their vehicles are ready for rain and snow.<\/p>\n The list includes the following winter driving suggestions:<\/p>\n Make sure your brakes, windshield wipers, defroster, heater and exhaust system are in top condition.Check antifreeze level. Purchase winter weather-specific windshield fluid to prevent icing.Check the vehicle’s tires. Make sure they are properly inflated and the tread is in good condition.Carry chains or traction devices and make sure to know whether the vehicle is front or rear wheel drive, as chains must be installed on the appropriate \u201cdrive\u201d wheels.Make sure chains are the proper size for the vehicle\u2019s tires and that they’re in working order.Carry water, food, warm blankets and extra clothing in the vehicle in case of a highway closure or detour.Keep the gas tank full or the electric vehicle fully charged.<\/p>\n It may be necessary to change routes or turn back during a bad storm, or you may be caught in a traffic delay.<\/p>\n To see the full CHP winter driving tips list, visit this link<\/a>.<\/p>\n KCRA 3 checked in with a few car and driving experts for their winter driving reminders. <\/p>\n Watch the video in the player above for advice from BMR NAPA Autocare Center and KCRA 3 traffic expert Brian Hickey on smooth wintertime travel.<\/p>\n REAL-TIME TRAFFIC MAP Meteorologist Tamara Berg on Facebook <\/a>and X<\/a>.Meteorologist Dirk Verdoorn on Facebook<\/a>Meteorologist\/Climate Reporter Heather Waldman on Facebook<\/a> and X<\/a>.Meteorologist Kelly Curran on X<\/a>.Meteorologist Ophelia Young on Facebook<\/a> and X<\/a>.<\/p>\n Watch our forecasts on TV or online We’re also streaming on the Very Local app<\/a> for Roku, Apple TV or Amazon Fire TV.<\/p>\n See more coverage of top California stories here<\/a> | Download our app<\/a> | Subscribe to our morning newsletter<\/a> | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel<\/a><\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
Click here to see our interactive traffic map<\/a>.
TRACK INTERACTIVE, DOPPLER RADAR
Click here to see our interactive radar.
<\/a>DOWNLOAD OUR APP FOR THE LATEST
Here is where you can download our app<\/a>.
Follow our KCRA weather team on social media<\/p>\n
Here’s where to find our latest video forecast<\/a>. You can also watch a livestream of our latest newscast here<\/a>. The banner on our website turns red when we’re live.<\/p>\n