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Prepare Yourself for a Winter Commute
By Fisher Swanson
Winter is nearly upon us and in many places winter weather has
already arrived. Even if you commute or drive short distances in
the winter, it's good to be prepared in case of a an emergency.
In this article you will find items that you can have in your car
to help you if you have car trouble in the bitter cold. I usually
remove some of these items in the summer for fuel economy but now
is the time to take stock and make sure you have everything you
need in case of an emergency.
Clothing and Blankets:
It's nice to have warm blankets in your car in case you have to
spend a long time waiting for help. I like the polar fleece
blankets because they are warm, light weight and don't use too
much trunk space. You can also get emergency blankets (also known
as Space blankets) for cheap in the camping section at Walmart or
Target. These are very thin mylar sheets that radiate your body
heat back to you.
I also carry a rain coat and rubber boots in my trunk. Even
though I usually wear a coat when I drive, the rain coat will
keep it dry if I am in the rain or the snow for a long time.
Ice and Snow:
A bag of sand is useful if you find yourself stuck on ice. The
additional weight will also help with traction. Tire chains are a
must have. Most people have a set sitting in their garage. Make
sure they fit your tires and make it into your trunk.
A little shovel can come in handy if your car is stuck. You can
get a nice folding shovel at the army surplus store for a
reasonable price. And of course, a good ice scraper is a must
have. It's amazing how these can disappear in the summer and you
end up scraping your windshield with a tape case or an old
library card. If it snows where you live, a snow brush or broom
can come in handy.
This may be overboard but I also carry a tow rope. Say you have a
Geo Metro, there isn't much you can tow out of a ditch. But if
someone with a truck stops to help, you aren't relying on them to
supply a rope or chain.
Prepare your car:
A well maintained car will help you in winter weather. Make sure
all your fluids have been checked. Have your radiator, battery
and brakes serviced if needed. Make sure you have adequate
antifreeze. There is no better time to have your car aligned and
tires rotated. It's best to have the same tire tread on all four
wheels. Ideally a snow or all weather tire is best for this time
of year.
Other Useful Items:
Here are some more items that I strongly suggest carrying.
- Car fluids - oil, brake fluid, antifreeze, power steering fluid
(if needed), transmission fluid
- A roll of quarters in case you need to make some calls
- A Flashlight and an extra set of batteries
- A nail file or emery board for cleaning wires or battery posts
- A cell phone or CB radio, even if just for emergencies
- A list of phone numbers of people you know who might be able to
help you
- Some fresh water
- Extra socks
- A stocked first aid kit
- A stocked tool kit
- Extra windshield wipers
- Tire pump
- Lock de-icer
- Emergency flares
- A coffee can for an emergency bathroom
Depending on where you live and length of your commute, some of
these items may be unnecessary. If you live in an area that gets
a lot of snow and cold whether, even if it's infrequent, it's
better to be safe than sorry.
Fisher Swanson is a regular contributer to ThriftyFun.com. Visit
<http://www.thriftyfun.com> for
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