Don't Leave For Your Winter Driving Excursion Without Doing These Things First

If you are like some, there is no better way to beat the winter blues than to climb in your car and head off down the highway for a quick roadtrip to find something interesting to do or see. While winter driving excursions can always be a lot of fun, they can also lead to trouble. You never know when roadway conditions could drastically change leaving you either stranded or involved in a minor accident. While there will always be towing services happy to help, it is always best to be prepared so you can avoid issues if at all possible, and stay safe if there is a problem. Before you take off on your quick trip in the coldest months, make sure you are fully prepared for the unexpected happenings that the winter season could bring to you as a driver.

Take a good look at your spare and make sure you have tire-problem necessities. 

Get out your spare tire before you take off and look it over. Make sure you don't see any signs of damage and the spare is fully aired up and ready to go on your vehicle. If the roadway is covered in ice or snow, it is all too easy to damage a tire and need to put on your spare. So make sure your spare is ready and you have everything you need, such as the jack and tire tool, to get your spare on in a pinch. It is also a good idea to tuck a tire-plugging kit in your trunk,which can be used to quickly plug a hole in your tire if you need to.  

Create a winter driving emergency kit and put it in your trunk. 

Any time you plan to go on a road trip, having  a stash of emergency supplies is important, but this is even more true in the winter. Grab a small plastic tote and toss in the following items to create your winter driving emergency kit:

• emergency blankets
• flashlight and spare batteries
• high-protein snacks
• battery-operated radio
• hand warmers 
• water
• jarred emergency candles and matches
• gloves

Check fluid levels and battery health under the hood. 

A weak battery in the winter can be a real problem because the cold temperatures will drain the battery of energy really fast. So have your battery checked at a local auto parts store to ensure it is holding charge well. Likewise, you should check your fluid levels under the hood before you head out. Make sure your oil level is correct, take a look at your anti-freeze, and even ensure your transmission has the adequate fluid levels before you take off. The last thing you want to do is find yourself stranded due to simple negligence of low fluids. 

For more tips, talk to a professional like Cove Fort Chevron 24 Hour Towing.

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