As the temperatures start to fall throughout the nation, it’s time to start thinking about how you can prepare your car for increasingly unpredictable conditions. Depending on where you live, winter driving could mean snow, ice, or another situation that forces you to be more cautions, and to drive more slowly as you navigate dangerous roads.
At any temperature, weather can present drivers with unforeseen challenges, and you should always check the forecasts in advance to have a better sense of what you can expect each day. In addition, the National Safety Council has prepared a checklist to help you get ready by winterizing your car.
- Take your car in for a check-up that includes checking ignition, brakes, wiring, hoses, fan belts, spark plugs, battery, and fluid levels.
- Keep emergency equipment in your car, including a properly-inflated spare tire, a jack, jumper cables, a shovel, and a tool kit.
- Prepare a “survival kit” for your car. Your kit should have items like a working flashlight and batteries, reflective triangles, ice scraper and snow brush, woodeno matches in a waterproof container, and a first aid kit.
- Before driving long distances in harsh wintry conditions, be sure to keep extra clothing, including blankets, mittens, and hats to help keep you warm.
Check out the National Safety Council’s site for more details on what items you might want to include in your own kit.
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