Winter Car Safety Tips

As winter approaches, many people are planning for the holidays, but before you immerse yourself in shopping, decorating and heading over the river & the through the woods to Grandmother's house, spend a little time making sure your car is ready for the cold & snowy weather. 

You should inspect (or better yet have a professional inspect) your car for:

• Battery cables and terminals - look for corrosion & make sure they are properly attached
• Fluid levels  - anti-freeze, oil, brake fluid, power steering, transmission & windshield washer
• All belts and hoses (make sure they are free of cracks and defects)
• Air filters
• Condition of windshield wipers
• Lights and turn signals
• Tires – take a good look – are they worn? (try the penny test -insert  into the tread with Lincoln’s head down & if you can see the top of his head, it’s time to buy new tires)

Be sure to really check your tires for wear, since it’s even more important during winter.  Wet roads can take up to four times the normal stopping distance. With a worn tread, tires may hydroplane, skimming over the surface with little or no traction. And rotate your tires as recommended – usually about every 5,000 miles.  Regularly check the tire pressure – not only does it affect your traction & ability to stop, but also your gas mileage!

In addition to carrying an ice scraper, you may want to carry a box with:

·        Flashlight and fresh batteries

·        Jumper Cables

·        Shovel & Gloves

·        Cell phone & emergency charger

·        Blanket(s) & extra clothing

·        Partially filled jug of water (if filled completely & it could freeze & burst)

·        Non Perishable food, manual can opener & a knife

·        Waterproof matches, Flares & scraps of red /white fabric – to mark your car

·        First Aid kit

Finally, make sure that you think about the individuals you will be carrying in your vehicle & their needs. You may want to pack extra supplies & medications, rather than to be stranded without the proper item if the weather changes quickly or your car is disabled.