Winter travel survival tips

Winter Travel Survival Tips

Winter survival kits are not just for motorists who drive back roads. Unexpected weather conditions can find even city drivers in a predicament. No matter where you drive, you are your own first line of defense against Old Man Winter, because you never know when help will arrive. Do you have a winter travel car kit? Do you know what should be in them? Do you know how to handle an emergency situation? Don’t worry, because we are going to help you prepare with these winter travel survival tips!

Winter travel survival starts before the first snow flake falls. You will need to make sure your vehicle is ready, your emergency kit is packed and in the trunk, and what to do in basic emergencies. Feeling overwhelemed? Don’t be, we will break it down for you. And if all goes well, you will never need the second two, but if you do, you will be prepared!

Winter Car Care Tips
  1. Make sure your tires are All Season tread and in good condition.
  2. Brakes should be checked and serviced if necessary.
  3. Batteries are weaker in cold weather, so make sure your vehicle’s battery is fully charged.
  4. Make sure your wiper blades are in good condition.
  5. Keep the windshield washer reservoir filled with antifreeze solvent.
  6. Make sure your vehicle’s exhaust system has no leaks. Carbon monoxide is a silent killer and can accumulate quickly in closed vehicles.
  7. Check the radiator, heater core and all hoses that carry anti-freeze solution to make sure they are in good condition with no leaks. Also check to see that the anti-freeze solution is good to at least 40 below zero.

Winter Emergency Kit

 

Click to download your free Winter Travel Car Kit check list!
 
 

What to do in an Emergency

  1. Stay with your vehicle. If possible, use your cell phone to call for help
  2. Make sure the exhaust pipe is clear of snow.
  3. Move all your emergency supplies from the trunk to the interior of your vehicle as soon as you realize you will be stuck for any length of time.
  4. Put on warm clothing before you get too cold. It is easier to stay warm than it is to regain lost warmth. If you are wearing tight clothing, loosen it so your body heat can circulate. Remove all of your metal jewelry as it can chill you. Keep your feet as dry as possible.
  5. Run the engine sparingly, to conserve gas. Start with 15 minutes every hour and adjust if needed. In extreme cold, it may be necessary to keep the engine running continuously as it may not restart if turned off.
  6. Keep your feet off the floor if the heater is not on. This will help your feet stay warmer.
  7. Never go to sleep with the engine running.
  8. If you do need to sleep, eat a high calorie snack just before sleeping to stimulate your metabolism which will help your body produce heat.
  9. If the snow is coming down hard, tie something colorful on the car antenna so help can find you.

I hope that you never need to use your Winter Travel Car Kit or any of the emergency tips, but it is better to be prepared!

Now that your vehicle is ready for winter…..

What should you do if the power goes out in our house!?!?!

 

12 thoughts on “Winter Travel Survival Tips

  1. Let me second the comment to take a winter kit with you in the winter especially if you are traveling up north!

  2. Thank you for these tips! My husband wanted my son to put together a winter car kit for each of our vehicles. This will be very helpful!

  3. I always need to review lists like this at this time of year! Even though I've been driving in winter in Wisconsin since I got my license, I don't always have my vehicle prepared… lucky for me, it hasn't been an issue… yet! It's always better to be prepared!

    1. I think a lot of us Northern folks don't have everything we need because we drive in it all the time. We don't think about what could go wrong, because it is just daily life to us.

  4. this week i started my emergency car kit. i commute on some very deserted roads in all kinds of weather. this list couldn't come at a better time. thank you!

  5. This is terrific information! We're planning on spending January and February in Florida — so that we'll miss all of the snowy conditions of home! As I tell my husband, you don't have to shovel sunshine! Thanks so much for sharing at our Party in Your PJs.

  6. I'm a New England boy – but never had a winter travel kit. It's a good idea. I think maybe a few posh items included in a winter travel kit would make dandy Christmas gifts!
    Thanks for the ideas!

Comments are closed.