Keep This “Winter Tips” Guide in Your Car

Jim Stuart, Technician’s Tip Automotive Consultant

Four Letter Words…

Slippery. Ice. Snow. Winter.

Granted. They’re not all “four letter words”. But, they might as well be. Amazing how any one of these four words can change your outlook on life. A break down or accident with your car is a frightening thing at any time. But, when we first see those white, soft flurries falling from the sky on a snowy morn, despite the holiday music playing in the background, in the back of our minds there is this gnawing “gut feeling” within.



Will it be this winter?

Will it be my car?

What will I do if it is…?

Emergency preparedness takes only a few minutes.

Some winter driving tips.

Let’s not concede the fact that you are somehow “destined” to have an accident this winter. Granted. Any day we can wake up to heavy snows … or “heavy forecasts” and the prospects of facing a winter driving emergency should only make us realize the need for emergency preparedness with our vehicles.

The problem with winter driving emergencies is this: we tend to get absorbed in our daily routines nonetheless, without taking the few precautions which could, quite literally, “make or break” us in any winter driving emergency.

Emergency preparedness is not a favorite theme in our daily lives. Remember the last time you discovered you didn’t have your ice scraper, but needed one then and there after work in the employee’s parking lot?

This Guide, with its simple “winter tips”, could make the difference for you in a winter driving emergency. Here are the few winter driving tips you might consider.

1. Relief. That’s what a friend of mine felt when he found his cell phone (which he thought he had forgotten) while stranded in his own version of a winter driving emergency. If you face such an emergency, here’s winter driving tip number 1: Relief. You need the personal relief which comes from remembering that cell phone whenever you leave home and face winter driving conditions. (It doesn’t hurt to have the car charger too, though you will not want to use up your battery in an emergency). Keep the phone charged so you are better prepared for an emergency.

2. Survival gear? This time of year, every time I read about emergency winter car kits, images of blizzard conditions in the Rockies, startled mama grizzlies with hapless cubs, or warding off packs of hungry wolves deep in forested haunts, flash momentarily before me.
Actually, emergency winter car kits are nothing like that. But, I suspect most people (like me for years) do not have such a winter driving emergency car kit now in place because it seems “over the top”.
Actually, it takes just a few minutes to assemble most items for every vehicle you own. Though these items really can be life-saving – most of us don’t think that way. But we can certainly envision all sorts of winter driving emergencies which will cost us both money and the better part of a wasted day because of some “black ice” accident which sent our car careening into the ditch. So, here are a few winter emergency tips:

• Small LED flashlight. They are more expensive than other flashlights but are more dependable. You wouldn’t want to use up your car battery in a driving emergency or depend upon traditional flashlights with extra batteries (that sit for years and almost never get replaced).

• Several dollars in coins located in the car, useful in case you forgot that cell phone (see Winter Driving Tip number 1) but can call from a pay phone. Also, a great excuse for use in any nearby vending machines for snacks (You can draw your wife’s attention to the fact that you only resorted to this dietary necessity because you were facing a “winter driving emergency”).

• Reflective triangles (several) – warns oncoming traffic about your stalled condition. Very useful for avoiding dangerous second collisions with your car.

• A few flares – a little more dramatic than the triangle but a traditional favorite that really works to warn everyone around you that you’re stranded. (Seems to attract police more quickly too).

• Distress sign (“Need Help!”, “Emergency”, etc.)

• Basic tools for tire change, simple repairs (Truth be known. I’m betting there are more vehicles “held together” by the ubiquitous duct tape than we care to know. Actually, duct tape is practical in all sorts of emergencies by people who don’t usually prefer basic tools.)

• A good first aid kit – This is especially needed after accidents when emergency personnel cannot get to you readily. Also, sometimes this kit can be useful for painful problems arising from inexperience in handling the basic tools while dealing with winter driving emergencies (see “basic tools” above).

• Emergency provisions such as a few inexpensive blankets ($5 or $6 usually will do it – but buy a few if you normally carry several passengers), warm/waterproof gloves (which you will regret NOT having every time you face those subzero conditions at the gas pump), warm hats (which cover the ears), warm coat, and boots. Remember, you just MIGHT need to walk in hazardous conditions for great distances during your version of a winter driving emergency. Emergency preparedness, by definition, means you must “see the missing” and the potential in winter driving emergency conditions.

• It doesn’t hurt to have some non-perishable snacks stashed in the “Kit” for morale and energy. Keep one or two filled water bottles on hand. Severe cold and wind DOES lead to dehydration problems. But, use and replenish the water frequently.

• Sand or rock salt for tire traction doesn’t take too much space in the car and can get you out of a potentially stranded situation.

• Small shovel. Quality metal. You may be doing some “digging out”.

3. Winterized car accessories: There are several items which can prevent debilitating incidents:

• Jumper cables – It is amazing how many cars do not carry a set of good jumper cables. Winter driving emergencies ALWAYS carry the risk of automotive “failure to start” (See Automotive start up problems).

• Emergency tire sealant (a real help with a flat tire)

• Windshield de-icer. Often a spray which can be quickly applied is a Godsend in subzero weather when you need to get ice off the windows and scraping takes much too long (with resultant frostbite danger). Be mindful that a sudden wind gust can carry the spray back into your face and eyes.

• Quality brush and ice scraper: As mentioned earlier, you don’t want to find out after work one snowy day, that your car doesn’t come equipped with an ice scraper and (snow) brush. So, get one. Ah, splurge. Buy two. Fellow workers always love the guy who’s prepared (for their forgetfulness).

• A spare tire for every vehicle is a must – all year ‘round. Quiz questions: Do you know where your spare tire is located, how to remove it, and how to mount it? Does your car have quality jacks and do you know how to use them? Do you know where you can place the jacks?

4. Fluids for your car. This point is more in line with “winterizing your car” but the fact remains. Perhaps the most important preparation for avoiding winter driving emergency situations – from the standpoint of vehicle performance - is to make certain your vehicle has the proper fluid levels.

Winter is stress – for both humans and cars. Stalled cars (which can happen anywhere), dead batteries, dry (winter) start ups, and the like can spell real trouble anytime throughout the winter months.

Technicians Tip personnel actually witnessed the extensive testing demonstrating the superiority of this passenger car oil additive OVER one of the most popular, premium racing formulas used today. Obviously, that kind of comparison isn’t supposed to happen. But it did, quite dramatically. See the story, I won’t l belabor it here.

Just make sure your fluid levels are topped off properly. Use a reliable premium oil during the winter months especially. Get your car checked for all fluid levels. Your mechanic knows what that means. Better to keep your tank full with gas as well (Some suggest gas additives. Technicians Tips hasn’t made recommendations here).

5. Roadside assistance and help programs. Prepare for winter conditions with a reliable roadside assistance program. In other words, get into a program which provides roadside assistance for all your family drivers.

Interestingly, there are now many new cars which include a program which will provide towing if your car breaks down. Obviously, the best known program to most Americans is provided by the American Automobile Association (AAA). In Canada, the Canadian Automobile Association (CAA) is perhaps, the best known third party road assistance program.

An exciting option in many new cars includes systems such as the renowned OnStar. OnStar can get a hold of a live operator on the phone with the simple press of a button. This program automatically calls for assistance if your car's airbags activate. However, OnStar depends upon the car’s electrical system. That means you should carry a cell phone, “just in case”.

See Winterizing Your Car