Here’s some hints about how to take care when walking and driving on ice and snow: “With ice and snow, drive slow.”

If walking across an ice-covered lake and fall in, don’t panic but reach out of water and kick your feet hard. This will take the weight off your body. Slowly move your arms like crawling until you’re out and then roll away.

Driving across the ice in a car or truck? Roll down the windows, open the doors and drive slowly. Unlatch seat belts, turn off the radio, listen to the ice. If the vehicle goes in, you’ll have time to escape through the windows. Don’t wear heavy coats or other clothing until you are ready to get out of the vehicle. You don’t need heavy clothing to weigh you down if you fall through the ice.

Most cars and trucks start in overdrive. I always thought you used overdrive when passing another vehicle.

Your owner’s manual will tell you how to turn off the overdrive.

The vehicle’s transmission shifts down when climbing hills. In summer, it can damage your transmission. In winter, it is very dangerous to be in overdrive on an icy or snowy incline. As you give it gas to climb, the transmission automatically shifts down to give more power to get up the hill. The result? The tires spin, and the car or truck turns sideways.

Many people don’t know their vehicle has a selector to turn off the overdrive. Your vehicle will run at a little higher RPM, but nothing significant, especially when compared to a new transmission.

Frank Slason

Somerville