Preparing Your Car for Cold Weather

Before cold weather hits, there are things you can do to insure that your car is ready for cold weather. Check the following items on your car:

Remember to keep an ice scrapper in your car for mornings when frost or ice crystals have settled on your windshield; clean all snow and ice from  your windows and mirrors before traveling. Another good precaution is to maintain at least half a tank of gas during the cold winter months. Always dress warmly by wearing layers of loose-fitting, lightweight clothing. You can also prepare a winter kit by carrying the following items in your trunk during winter months:

• Flashlights with extra batteries
• First aid kit
• Blankets or sleeping bags
• Newspapers for extra insulation
• Extra set of mittens, socks and a wool cap
• Rain gear and extra clothes
• Small tools (pliers, wrench, screwdriver)
• Booster cables
• Small sack of sand or cat litter for generating traction under wheels
• Brightly colored cloth to use as a flag, if stranded
• Bottled water and snack food items such as canned nuts, if stranded

Driving Tips

• Limit your travel to essential trips only
• Stay off the road when traveler warnings are issued
• Leave early and expect any trip to take twice as long as normal
• Plan your route to avoid lightly traveled roads
• SLOW DOWN! Slick pavement means reduced traction and excessive speed with cause loss of control. On snow or ice, you should drive much slower than the posted speed limit.
• Increase the distance between you and the vehicle in front of you. It can take from 3 to 10 times further to stop on winter slick pavement than a dry road.
• Avoid quick acceleration, hard braking and fast turns. Remember, if your car has antilock brakes, do not pump the brake pedal.