There are some great advantages to owning and driving an SUV. However, driving an SUV is in some ways different from driving a regular car. You'll need to develop some new driving skills if you want to stay as comfortable and safe as possible in your new SUV.

The following are six driving skills that are important when you buy a new SUV. 

Driving at a slower speed

When you're driving an SUV, you should be going at a slower speed on average than you would be driving in a car like a sedan. Sedans have a lower body and lower center of gravity. This makes them more suitable for making turns at a relatively high speed.

In an SUV, you need to make sure that you're taking corners slowly and driving more slowly in general, especially on winding roads. 

Not over-packing your vehicle

Although an SUV gives you plenty of cargo space, you should be mindful of how heavy you're making your vehicle as your pack it. Be reasonable and don't go overboard by trying to pack a lot of very heavy items all in one trip.

If you pack an SUV with a lot of heavy cargo, you can raise your SUV's center of gravity and make your vehicle less stable on the roads. 

Driving further back from the vehicles in front of you

SUVs are heavier than sedans and other cars. This means that they will generally take longer to come to a complete stop than smaller, lighter vehicles. In an SUV, you should therefore drive further behind the vehicle in front of you than you might in a regular car. 

Applying the brakes earlier when you want to stop

You should give yourself a longer braking distance when you're driving your SUV. Your SUV is heavier and will stop more slowly, so apply the brakes right away before you get any closer to the vehicle in front of you when you need to stop.

Giving yourself a longer braking distance is especially important when you're driving your SUV in inclement weather, as the roadway surface is likely to be slick. 

Dealing with blind spots from a higher vantage point

Blind spots can sometimes be larger in SUVs because of the fact that SUVs are generally larger vehicles. While driving an SUV, it can be especially difficult to see objects and other vehicles that are lower and closer to the ground. 

You should take special care to position your rear and side-view mirrors to maximize visibility in your blind spots when you're driving a new SUV. 

Towing safely

A lot of drivers choose an SUV because they need a vehicle that can handle towing. If you're going to tow with your SUV, you need to be careful to learn how to hook up a trailer and tow properly to stay safe. 

For more information about buying an SUV, contact a local dealer, like Metro Ford Inc.