Planning a Road Trip in the Winter? Follow These Preparation Tips
Posted on: 18 November 2016
Going on a road trip is a great way to explore different areas you don't often get to visit, but if you are heading out in the winter, you need to take some extra precautions. It is important that your vehicle is ready and that you remember with rain, snow, and hail, there are safety risks involved in driving long distances. Here are some preparation tips for your winter road trip.
Get Your Car Serviced
This is something you should do before any road trip but especially when you intend to drive in the winter. Let the mechanic know that you are planning on going on a road trip and the locations you intend to go. They will make some adjustments to your vehicle as needed and make sure it is in good shape for this type of trip. The mechanic should also be able to put on snow chains or recommend some winter tyres for you if you don't currently have them on your vehicle.
Remove All Snow Before Leaving
You probably know that you should remove the excess snow from your windows so you can see better, but don't forget about other areas of your car. If you have a lot of snow on the hood of your vehicle, then driving could cause that snow to fall and get in the way of your sight while driving. You also want to remove the snow and ice from your headlights and taillights so others can see that those lights are on. Don't forget about removing snow from the body of your vehicle so you don't blend in during a snowstorm.
Bring Emergency Supplies
You never know when a major snowstorm is going to hit and you need to pull over until it passes. You should have everything you need in your vehicle to wait out major storms, including warm and dry clothing, blankets, flashlights, and cell phones that are fully charged and ready to use if yours dies. Also include plenty of non-perishable food and bottled water for the trip to keep in your vehicle. You also want to have a small shovel, cat litter, and ice scraper in the vehicle at all times.
Keep the Gas Tank Full
When you are driving in the winter, you never want to run out of gas and have to try to find a ride to the nearest gas station. Keep a close eye on your gas tank, and find the nearest gas station whenever it starts dipping below the halfway mark. This prevents any incidents if you are on a long stretch of road with no gas stations when you are running low on fuel.
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