Preparing Your Vehicle for Winter Driving

It's not yet officially winter, but as the temperatures start to dip nonetheless, and many have already experienced their first winter blizzard or two, it's never too early or too late to think about getting your vehicle prepared for the cold winter months.

The first thing on most people's minds is to change their tires to winter driving tires. It goes without saying, that this is one of the most important things you can do to get your vehicle ready for winter. Often, roads can become very slippery, even with a light dusting of snow. In order to keep your vehicle on the road, and to help prevent accidents, you need proper winter tires that will grip the snow and ice, ensuring that you have ample time to stop.

Anti-freeze is also a must. It helps to ensure that your vehicle will start no matter where you happen to park and for how long your vehicle has been parked in one spot. Not everyone has the luxury of parking in a nice warm garage or parkade. Often times, your vehicle is left out in the elements, so you want to be sure it will start when you need it.

Not only do you need to prepare your vehicle, but you also need to be sure YOU are prepared for whatever road conditions and driving emergency you might encounter while on the roads this winter. This is especially important if your travels take you to out-of-the-way places, far from the convenience of neighborhoods or service stations. Be sure that you and your vehicle are equipped with a good first-aid kit and winter driving kit.

First Aid Kit

Your first-aid kit should include such items as:

- band-aids and/or bandages, in case of minor injuries

- scissors

- adhesive tape

- small bottle of peroxide or tube of antiseptic

- nutrition bars or other packaged non-perishable foods

Winter Kit

Your winter kit, which you can keep in the trunk of your car, and/or in a good size tool box within reach inside your vehicle, should contain such things as:

- a window scraper

- shovel (short handled shovels can be purchased for this purpose), should you need to dig yourself out of a snow drift

- candles, to use as a light source and for warmth

- tin cans, both for use as a candle holder and a spare one for melting snow for the purpose of drinking water should you find yourself stranded in the middle of nowhere (never eat snow for a liquid source as this will dehidrate your body... always heat the snow first)

- bottled water

- small transistor radio and batteries (check batteries periodically to be sure they are working)

- flashlight with batteries (again, be sure batteries are always in working order)

- extra batteries for radio and flashlight

- cel phone and car charger

- emergency flares

- an "emergency" sign to place in your window that lets other motorists know that you are in trouble

- extra blanket(s) for warmth

- possibly extra warm gloves and touque (body heat escapes from the head, so be sure to keep your head covered during freezing temperatures)

- tow rope

- booster cables

- gas can

When travelling on the roads in winter, none of us think we will ever get into an accident or become stranded. We often take our vehicles for granted, thinking they will get us from point A to point B, with no problems. In fact, we can often feel too safe and comfortable IN our vehicles, that we give little thought to the possibilities of being stranded, especially in extreme weather conditions. Unfortunately, mishaps can and do occur. The weather can change very suddenly and drastically, so it's always better to be safe than sorry. It takes so little time to put safety kits together, and could make the difference between life and death in some cases.

Lastly, a good thing to remember is to always keep your gas tank on full, when driving in the winter.