November 2024 Are You Ready for Winter Driving?

Now is the perfect time to make sure you and your vehicle are ready for winter driving. Here are some quick tips and hints that can help you start thinking about how you can be the most prepared for whatever winter might bring.

Is Your Car Ready?

• Tires: Do you have all-weather or winter tires? Cold weather can lower your tire pressure, so it’s important to check regularly and inflate as appropriate. Check your tread depth – will you have enough traction as the roads get slicker? Are your brakes in good order? You might also consider a back-up pressure gauge and perhaps a portable compressor to fill your tires in a bind.
• Battery: Cold weather can lower battery performance, particularly with older batteries, what condition is yours in? Do you have jumper cables and/or a jump starter?
• Windshield and Fluids: When did you last replace your windshield wipers? The cold can make the rubber hard and brittle, meaning older blades will struggle more with ice and snow obstructions. Are your antifreeze levels adequate? Your brake fluid? Do you have a windshield wiper fluid that won’t freeze?
• Keep at least a half tank of gas to prevent freezing in fuel lines

Do You Have the Right Supplies? 

• A winter emergency kit is a must-have! Consider some of these basic items:
  • A shovel
  • Additional blankets, warm clothing, and reflective/high visibility clothing in case you are temporarily stranded or forced to wait in the cold.
  • A flashlight with extra batteries – make sure to test them!
  • Water and non-perishable snacks.
  • Jumper cables – You might also consider a jump starter or portable tire inflator.
  • A phone charger

Are YOU Ready?

• For newer drivers – are you comfortable driving in the snow?
• Slow down and increase following distance
• Do you have an ice scraper to clear snow and ice from your car?
• Do you need to leave earlier?

Ice and snow, less daylight, cold weather, and more can make the winter a challenging time for anyone to drive. By preparing ahead, you can have some peace of mind that in emergency situations, you will have the resources necessary to make it through. For more information on winter driving safety, check out tips from the National Safety Council and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).