Everything You Need for Your First Winter With a Car
Lisa Steuer McArdle
· 4 min read
Cold weather brings dangerous winter driving conditions. If this is your first winter with a car, you'll need to prepare to stay safe on the road. You can get ready for winter with a car survival kit and routine
car maintenance
.
Get ready for winter with a car survival kit
If you only do one thing to prepare for winter, pack a car survival kit. If your car breaks down or you get stuck in a ditch, you'll be thankful that you have these necessities on hand.
Family Handyman
has compiled a list of what you need.You can't call for help with a dead cell phone, so pack a charger. A small flashlight with fresh batteries is also a must. And while some paper and a pencil are low-tech, these items will come in handy if roadside assistance gives you another number to call or you need to exchange contact information with another driver.
If you're unable to run your car or the heat stops working, it will get cold, fast. You should have a blanket, a hat, and a pair of mittens stashed in your trunk. And don't forget some basic tools. In a pinch, you'll be surprised by what you can do with duct tape, scissors, and a screwdriver!
A full-size shovel is bulky, so a collapsible shovel is well worth the money. And, a cheap bag of clay cat litter can be sprinkled down if your tires can't gain traction on ice or packed down snow.
Lastly, accessories like a heated steering wheel cover can make a long commute a little more tolerable. And don't forget to buy an
ice scraper
with an attached snow brush.Let Jerry find your price in only 45 seconds
No spam · No long forms · No fees
Don't overlook the importance of tires
Car tires are the only things that separate you from the road. This is not the place to be stingy with your pocketbook. A set of new tires is cheaper than dealing with the financial aftermath of a crash.
Most sources recommend that tires be replaced when the tread is down to 2/32 of an inch. However, that measurement should be viewed as a bare minimum. Your tires may have poor performance with slightly more tread. You can use a tire tread gauge to find out how much tread your tires have left, or ask your mechanic to check the depth for you.
Bridgestone Tires
also illustrates how you can use a penny to measure tire tread depth. For the so-called "penny test," you'll need to place a penny between the treads. How you orient the penny is crucial: Lincoln's head should be upside down and facing you. If you can see the top of Lincoln's head, it's time for new tires. Is your car battery ready for winter?
MORE: Car Battery Keeps Dying? Here's What To Check
Cold weather can exacerbate any existing problems with your car battery. If you've had to have your battery jumped, take that as a warning sign. You'll need to get to the bottom of your battery's issue sooner rather than later.
The first thing you should check is the battery connectors. If there is corrosion or the connectors are loose, even a brand new battery won't charge correctly. You can use a special brush to clean off any corrosion, then tighten the connectors.
If the connectors look good, the battery is either at the end of its lifespan or there is a problem like a parasitic drain. Your mechanic can pinpoint the exact issue, so you aren't left stranded in the cold.
Winter is also a good time to review your car insurance policy, too.
Jerry
can compare rates from top insurance companies. It only takes a few minutes, and the average Jerry driver saves $879 a year on car insurance! 
.webp&w=384&q=75)
