Wintertime often means plenty of travel thanks to the holidays and time away from work or school. The coming of winter also means that the roads can be treacherous, precipitation can be heavy and your car may have a little trouble dealing with the cold. Before going on a winter road trip, check off everything on this list to keep yourself and your family safe and reach your destination without trouble.
Routine Maintenance
Following your car's recommended maintenance schedule is important year-round, of course, but it is especially urgent going into the winter because the cold makes breakdowns dangerous as well as inconvenient. Besides, a well-maintained car is an efficient car, which saves you money on gas on long trips. Get an oil change if your car needs one and check the brake fluid, transmission fluid, power steering fluid and, in particular, antifreeze. If your check engine light is on, don't wait for your car to stall in the middle of a blizzard; get the engine serviced right away.
Windshield Care
Between snow, sleet, freezing rain and the sandy, salty muck that accumulates on the road after a snowstorm, the winter will give your car's windshield plenty of abuse. To make sure you can see where you are going at all times, invest in a new pair of windshield wiper blades to cut through whatever debris accumulates. You'll also be using windshield washer fluid extensively, so make sure the reservoir is full. Don't try to save a few dollars by using plain water instead; in the winter, it will freeze, leaving you stranded until it thaws out.
Tire Check
You'll need at least an eighth of an inch of traction on all of your tires to safely maneuver through ice and snow. Check before the road trip, giving yourself enough time to get them rotated or replaced if necessary. The cold can also cause your tires to lose a little air pressure, so check frequently to make sure your tires are within the recommended range. If you expect especially harsh weather on the road this winter, consider switching your year-round tires for dedicated snow tires designed to push through the worst road conditions.
Winter Emergency Kit
If your car does break down in the middle of the winter, being prepared for a survival situation can make all the difference. Pack up an emergency kit with wool blankets, hand warmers, waterproof flashlights, packaged snacks, jumper cables, road flares, bottles of water and enough winter attire to protect everyone in the car from the cold. Also include a scraper and a telescoping shovel for every adult passenger, the better to dig yourselves out of the snow if necessary.
Routine Maintenance
Following your car's recommended maintenance schedule is important year-round, of course, but it is especially urgent going into the winter because the cold makes breakdowns dangerous as well as inconvenient. Besides, a well-maintained car is an efficient car, which saves you money on gas on long trips. Get an oil change if your car needs one and check the brake fluid, transmission fluid, power steering fluid and, in particular, antifreeze. If your check engine light is on, don't wait for your car to stall in the middle of a blizzard; get the engine serviced right away.
Windshield Care
Between snow, sleet, freezing rain and the sandy, salty muck that accumulates on the road after a snowstorm, the winter will give your car's windshield plenty of abuse. To make sure you can see where you are going at all times, invest in a new pair of windshield wiper blades to cut through whatever debris accumulates. You'll also be using windshield washer fluid extensively, so make sure the reservoir is full. Don't try to save a few dollars by using plain water instead; in the winter, it will freeze, leaving you stranded until it thaws out.
Tire Check
You'll need at least an eighth of an inch of traction on all of your tires to safely maneuver through ice and snow. Check before the road trip, giving yourself enough time to get them rotated or replaced if necessary. The cold can also cause your tires to lose a little air pressure, so check frequently to make sure your tires are within the recommended range. If you expect especially harsh weather on the road this winter, consider switching your year-round tires for dedicated snow tires designed to push through the worst road conditions.
Winter Emergency Kit
If your car does break down in the middle of the winter, being prepared for a survival situation can make all the difference. Pack up an emergency kit with wool blankets, hand warmers, waterproof flashlights, packaged snacks, jumper cables, road flares, bottles of water and enough winter attire to protect everyone in the car from the cold. Also include a scraper and a telescoping shovel for every adult passenger, the better to dig yourselves out of the snow if necessary.
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