It’s December and the official start of Winter, In addition to winter weather, that means more driving in the dark. Even when you’re not on a long road trip, you want to be prepared for emergency situations. Here are some tips for keeping you and your vehicle safe on the roads this winter:
- Preventative Maintenance: be sure to have your vehicle checked regularly to ensure your battery, tires, hoses, and fluid levels are as they should be. Stop by I-70 Auto Service and let our expert auto mechanics perform a maintenance check on your car.
- Jumper Cables: Get a good set of jumper cables and learn how to use them. Every driver in every vehicle should carry jumper cables, but you’d be surprised at how many don’t. In addition to helping you, your jumper cables can also help another in need.
- Flashlights: Always carry a good, strong flashlight with extra batteries. Be sure to check your batteries regularly as they lose power over time, even when not in use. LED lights shine brightly for longer periods of time. Don’t ever think you can rely on the flashlight that comes built into your smartphone.
- Tire Jack and Vehicle Lift: Even if you have towing service, and regularly service your tires, you should be able to change a flat. It doesn’t matter if you’re a man or woman, you never know where or when you might get a flat and some helpful strangers are stranger than others.
- Basic Tool Box: You should always carry a small tool box with pliers, screwdrivers spare fuses and sockets or wrenches. You never know when it might come in handy and safe is always better than sorry.
- Fire Extinguisher: You can find automotive fire extinguishers in different sizes. Even a small one can help if your engine or another driver’s engine catches fire.
- Flares and Emergency Signals: Flares and emergency signal devices can protect you from other drivers should you stop on the side of the road. You can buy kits in most auto parts stores.
- Food and Water: High-protein snacks and non-perishables may not taste good, but they can sure come in handy when you’re caught in heavy traffic or otherwise tuck on the road. It’s amazing how much better they taste when you’re really hungry and need energy.
- Blankets, Gloves and Extra Clothes: Newer blankets you buy at outdoor shops are warm and thin so they don’t take up much room and it just makes sense that gloves and extra clothes come in handy after changing a tire in the snow or rain.
- First-Aid Kit: Your first-aid kit doesn’t have to be huge, but it should include bandages, alcohol towelettes, antibiotic ointment, an over-the-counter pain reliever and burn gel.
If you have a question about winter driving or get a vehicle safety inspection, be sure to stop by I-70 Auto Services in Kansas City, MO. we’re here to help!