The essentials<\/h3>\n\n\n\n- A portable shovel: <\/strong>A storm can immobilize a parked car in a matter of hours, but not everyone has the trunk space to lug around a full-sized shovel. Thankfully, you can find compact, foldable shovels in most military supply shops.<\/li>
- A portable jumper: <\/strong>In the past, if your battery died in the middle of the road, you had to wait for another vehicle to flag down so you could jumpstart the battery. These days, all you need is a portable jumper. These things are relatively inexpensive and can get you out of a rut in no time. <\/li>
- An ice scraper: <\/strong>Ice buildup on windshields and windows can significantly reduce visibility. Always bring an ice scraper and snow brush so you can get rid of ice without damaging your glass. <\/li>
- Tow straps: <\/strong>If you ever find yourself in a shallow ditch, having tow straps on hand can be a real life-saver \u2013 just make sure your straps match the weight of your vehicle. Also, read your car\u2019s user manual and learn how to properly tow a vehicle.<\/li>
- A basic tool kit: <\/strong>Basic tools (e.g. a screwdriver, a wrench, pliers, and some tape) can help you get through minor issues…or at least help you last until the next service station.<\/li>
- A tire changing kit: <\/strong>This is something you shouldn\u2019t leave home without, no matter the weather. Some folks go as far as bringing along a portable air compressor that can be plugged into the 12v outlet of their car. <\/li>
- Flashlights and road flares: <\/strong>We all know how light becomes a scant resource during the winter. Flashlights are great for when you need to go under the hood or change a flat in the dark, while flares and\/or roadside triangles keep you and your vehicle safe from oncoming traffic. Don\u2019t forget to pack extra batteries!<\/li>
- A poncho: <\/strong>This\u2019ll keep you warm and dry even if you have to spend hours outside your car attending to repairs.<\/li>
- A first-aid kit: <\/strong>While a basic first aid kit will suffice for minor scrapes, it\u2019s always a good idea to pack extra medications, especially if you have certain health risks. <\/li>
- A portable phone charger: <\/strong>Sure, you can hook up your phone charger to the dashboard. But what happens when your car battery conks out? Pack a fully-charged power bank in your toolkit and you won\u2019t have to worry about losing what is possibly your only line of communication during a crisis.<\/li>
- Ziplock bags: <\/strong>Not only are these bags good for storing damp clothing, but they can also keep your side mirrors from freezing over during sub-zero temperatures.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
The emergency survival kit<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
If you have extra space in your car and you\u2019re expecting to drive in particularly bad weather or through a more rural route, be sure to carry an emergency survival kit. These items should help you get through the night if ever you find yourself stranded in a blizzard:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Gloves, jackets, sleeping bags, and blankets to keep everyone warm and cozy.<\/li>
- Non-perishable foods like nuts, protein bars, trail mix, and canned food, as well as bottles of drinking water to stave off hunger and dehydration.<\/li>
- A lighter and\/or box of matches for when you need an extra source of heat. <\/li>
- A bag of sand, cat litter, or a traction device to give your tires a boost of traction over slippery terrain. Here\u2019s a tip: If you don\u2019t have any of these items, try rolling your wheels over your car\u2019s floor mats.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
How to prepare your car for winter driving<\/h2>\n\n\n\n![\"preparing](\"https:\/\/assets.carpages.ca\/prod-blog\/uploads\/2021\/12\/shutterstock_162726929-1-1024x683.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nPreparing for a drive in the snow is about so much more than just packing some emergency tools. After all, these tools are meant for emergency <\/em>purposes only. You want to avoid getting to that point in the first place. <\/p>\n\n\n\nYou can do this by winterizing your car \u2013 keep reading for our top tips below:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Roll out the winter tires<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Winter tires are made of specialized rubber compounds that don\u2019t lose their suppleness in below-zero temperatures. They\u2019re also designed to have grooves and edges in the tread to wick water off the ground, giving you more traction. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Speaking of tread, make sure your tire tread can still hold up to the challenges of winter driving. If you don\u2019t know how to gauge whether your tire tread is still safe for driving, you can just do the \u201cPenny Test\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
All you have to do is to stick a penny in the groove of your tire, with Abe\u2019s head facing you. If you can\u2019t see the top of his head, you\u2019re in the clear. But if you can see Lincoln\u2019s head peeking from the groove, it\u2019s time for a new set of tires. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Always check your tire pressure before leaving<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Low temperatures can cause tire pressure to drop. Keeping tires inflated to their proper PSI can give you better traction over wet and icy roads and save you from potential accidents. If possible, bring a portable air compressor with you at all times.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Have your battery checked<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Winter is when most car batteries start to fizzle out. Once the temperature starts to drop, head to your nearest service center to have your battery, cables, and fluids inspected by a professional. That way, you avoid getting stuck in the biting cold with a car that won\u2019t start.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Replace your wiper fluid<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s not enough to carry an ice scraper with you at all times. If you want to keep your windshield from becoming an icy mess, it\u2019s important that you switch to a windshield wiper fluid that\u2019s made specifically for colder temperatures. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Wash your car regularly<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The emergency survival kit<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
If you have extra space in your car and you\u2019re expecting to drive in particularly bad weather or through a more rural route, be sure to carry an emergency survival kit. These items should help you get through the night if ever you find yourself stranded in a blizzard:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Gloves, jackets, sleeping bags, and blankets to keep everyone warm and cozy.<\/li>
- Non-perishable foods like nuts, protein bars, trail mix, and canned food, as well as bottles of drinking water to stave off hunger and dehydration.<\/li>
- A lighter and\/or box of matches for when you need an extra source of heat. <\/li>
- A bag of sand, cat litter, or a traction device to give your tires a boost of traction over slippery terrain. Here\u2019s a tip: If you don\u2019t have any of these items, try rolling your wheels over your car\u2019s floor mats.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
How to prepare your car for winter driving<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nPreparing for a drive in the snow is about so much more than just packing some emergency tools. After all, these tools are meant for emergency <\/em>purposes only. You want to avoid getting to that point in the first place. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You can do this by winterizing your car \u2013 keep reading for our top tips below:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Roll out the winter tires<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Winter tires are made of specialized rubber compounds that don\u2019t lose their suppleness in below-zero temperatures. They\u2019re also designed to have grooves and edges in the tread to wick water off the ground, giving you more traction. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Speaking of tread, make sure your tire tread can still hold up to the challenges of winter driving. If you don\u2019t know how to gauge whether your tire tread is still safe for driving, you can just do the \u201cPenny Test\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
All you have to do is to stick a penny in the groove of your tire, with Abe\u2019s head facing you. If you can\u2019t see the top of his head, you\u2019re in the clear. But if you can see Lincoln\u2019s head peeking from the groove, it\u2019s time for a new set of tires. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Always check your tire pressure before leaving<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Low temperatures can cause tire pressure to drop. Keeping tires inflated to their proper PSI can give you better traction over wet and icy roads and save you from potential accidents. If possible, bring a portable air compressor with you at all times.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Have your battery checked<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Winter is when most car batteries start to fizzle out. Once the temperature starts to drop, head to your nearest service center to have your battery, cables, and fluids inspected by a professional. That way, you avoid getting stuck in the biting cold with a car that won\u2019t start.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Replace your wiper fluid<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s not enough to carry an ice scraper with you at all times. If you want to keep your windshield from becoming an icy mess, it\u2019s important that you switch to a windshield wiper fluid that\u2019s made specifically for colder temperatures. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Wash your car regularly<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"tips](\"https:\/\/assets.carpages.ca\/prod-blog\/uploads\/2021\/12\/shutterstock_181434695-1-1024x683.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/assets.carpages.ca\/prod-blog\/uploads\/2021\/12\/shutterstock_1478940104-1-1024x683.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n