Winterization
Nov 28th, 2011 by Art
Now that Thanksgiving is over, it is officially winter. For much of the United States winter started some time ago, but in many places it is just now getting cold. Is your car ready? Winter weather can cause any number of problems for you and your car and it pays to be ready for them in advance. So much can go wrong on the road in the winter and you don’t want to take any chances. Here are some things to help your vehicles.
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Check your anti-freeze. Make sure there is enough antifreeze in your radiator to keep your car running. It is a good idea to keep an extra jug of it in your trunk. Next to the anti-freeze there should be a couple of blankets for emergencies. You don’t want to have your car die and you be stuck out in the cold in the middle of nowhere. You might keep a spare coat and gloves there as well.
Food and water are another good idea. You don’t need an entire kitchen, but put some nonperishables in your trunk. Things like granola bars and dried fruit. Bottled water is cheap and easy to find as well.
An ice scraper is a must as well. It is crucial that you keep your windows free from ice so you can see. A small portable shovel is also incredibly useful. It may sound extreme, but if you ever skid into a snow bank and have to dig yourself out it can be a life saver.
Speaking of which, you should carry some flares with you as well. If you break down during a snowstorm and pull over people may not be able to see. Flares will solve this and you can use the light to signal for help. An emergency flashlight is another great idea to have in your trunk. Many are windup so they don’t require batteries that can run out. They also usually have a blinking red signal light you can use to flag help. They also have a little AM/FM radio you can use to listen to weather reports and traffic details. Some even have a built in siren you can sound for help.
While nobody likes to buy new tires for a used car, all-purpose weather tires or snow tires can really help your car stay on the road. On top of that you should buy chains and put them on your tires as well to help keep you from skidding on the ice.
Jumper cables are a must have as well. Everyone should have a pair of cables in their car regardless of the weather conditions. Not only that, but you should be very well versed in the how to use them to jump a car. Finally, don’ t forget a good, well stocked first aid kit. Hopefully you will never need it, but you never know if slip and fall on the ice or cut yourself scrapping your window clean.