Winter Weather Vehicle Preparation Checklist
With the onset of winter, we want you to make sure that your vehicle is ready for the weather. We want you to be fully prepared for the weather and its dangers.
Winter Months
The months of winter are December, January, February, and March, in the northern hemisphere. winter itself runs approximately from December twenty-first to March twentieth. These are the months of the year when it is cold outside.
While winter technically begins and ends in December and March, it can be cold by early December and start warming up in early March. Winter’s peak is in January and February, and at this time is when things are most dangerous. Now, it is possible to get snow as early as November and as late as the end of March even at the middle latitudes.
Winter Weather
The weather during the winter gets cold, in high northern latitudes, it can get extremely cold. We know that this cold weather can be hazardous for your vehicle and you. This weather includes more than just low temperatures; it can include ice and snow.
When we put all of this together, we have conditions where you and your vehicle can get frozen. Unfortunately, bad winter-weather can hit without warning and quickly get progressively worse. This weather can cause all sorts of problems both on and off the road.
Winter Driving
Driving in snow and ice is, to say the least dangerous, the best advice we have for how to drive in these conditions is don’t. Unfortunately, we do not always have that option, for example, we might be away from home and have no place to stop. In such cases, the best thing you can do is to take it slow. You should not change speed quickly, and you should not stop if you can avoid it.
Another important factor we need to mention about driving when it gets cold is the need to stay warm. Having a good heating system in your car is the key to doing so.
Winter Vehicle Preparation
If you live in areas with cold winters, winter vehicle preparation is a must. As the temperature drops, fluids can freeze and other problems can develop. Because of this, we recommend that you make sure your vehicle is in good working order. We suggest that you check the following as part of this process.
- Mount your snow tires.
- Check the tire tread.
- Check your tire pressure.
- Check the windshield wipers and wiper blades.
- Check windshield washer make sure it has antifreeze
Emergency Kit
During the winter, it is important to have emergency supplies for your car. We recommend the following for your emergency supply kit.
- Jumper cables
- A Jack & Spare Tire
- An ice scraper
- Flashlight and extra batteries
- Car charger for your cell phones
- A snow brush and shovel
- Warm clothing and blankets
- Cat litter in case you need it for traction
Everything you need for your emergency supply kit can be found at an auto parts store.
Do you live in an area where you get a lot of snow this winter? If your answer is yes, we recommend that you get prepared for winter. Because after all, winter is coming! For added vehicle protection check out our winter shelters