Are you planning a winter vacation and driving? If so, is your car in good enough shape to survive inclement weather? Winterizing your vehicle and bringing along certain items will lessen your risk of something going wrong. Here are a few winter road tips to help get you going in the right direction.
Travel Tips for Driving in Winter Conditions
Service Your Car
Whether you bring it to a mechanic or do your service, it is essential to have your car serviced for winter driving; this may include replacing your spark plugs and windshield wipers, changing your oil, inspecting lights, hoses, and fan belts, battery, and electrical system. You should also check the fluids in your radiator, transmission, power steering, and brakes. During winter driving, you may not need to check the coolant for your air conditioner, but it’s also something to consider.
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Check Your Tires
Worn tires are the source of numerous auto accidents, especially when the road is wet. Take a few minutes to inspect the tread wear on your tires using the “penny test.”. The penny test measures tires in 32nds of an inch, with new tires typically measuring 10/32 or 11/32 inches.
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The Penny Test
Place a penny with Lincoln’s head pointed towards the ti, and if his head isn’t visible, the tread is still above 2/32 inches. This is the minimum amount of tread before tires need to be replaced. The penny test should also be performed at different sections of each tire. While getting new tires is an added expense, driving your car is much safer. Also, don’t forget to ensure that your tires are properly inflated.
Bring A Car Safety Kit
All drivers should carry a car safety kit, but it’s far more critical in the winter. Items to take may vary, but a basic kit will typically have a first aid kit, jumper cables, a flashlight with spare batteries, a poncho, a reflective triangle, and flares. But you’ll need to add a few more items for winter driving, such as a warm blanket, mittens, hats, candle-powered heater, ice scraper, and, if necessary,y tire chains.
Other items include a tool kit, portable air compressor, snow shovel, hand warmers, sleeping bags, and a bag of sand for added traction. Some items should already be in your car, such as a tire gauge, jack and lug wrench, compass, and foam tire sealant. However, if you use a foam tire sealant, it can’t be repaired at a tire shop. Instead, you will have to buy a new tire. Lastly, don’t forget to bring a phone charger that plugs into your cigarette socket— while being mindful that your phone battery will wear out more quickly in cold weather.
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Bring Extra Food & Water
Nothing could be worse than getting stuck on the road due to engine trouble. Despite having new tires and taking every necessary precaution, some drivers will experience car trouble. This makes bringing extra food and water that much more crucial.
Suggestions For Food
You may already have ideas for what you’d like to bring, such as sandwiches, crackers, fresh fruit, peanut butter, and yogurt. But also consider bringing along non-perishable snacks, like unsalted trail mix, dried fruit, beef jerky, and granola bars. You should also bring plenty of water and other drinks. Additionally, if anyone in your party takes medications, you should get some extra.
Drive Responsibly
Driving responsibly makes sense in any road condition. However, it is essential when driving during winter. Driving responsibly can mean many things, but some are pretty obvious. For instance, accelerating and decelerating slow, as well as braking slowing instead of a sharp, jerky move. This also means not texting or driving distracted, whether changing the radio station or talking on the phone. One last word of advice: never drive while under the influence of alcohol at all times, especially when winter driving!
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About The Author
Randy Yagi is an award-winning freelance writer who served as the National Travel Writer for CBS Local from 2012 to 2019. More than 900 of his stories still appear in syndication across 23 CBS websites, including CBS New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and San Francisco. During his peak years with CBS, Randy had a reported digital audience reach of 489 million and 5.5 million monthly visitors. Additionally, his stories have appeared in the Daily Meal, CBS News, CBS Radio, Engadget and Radio.com. He earned a media fellowship from Stanford University in 2012.
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