Not everyone has to deal with driving in the snow and ice, but most of us do. Personally I won’t get inside a car if I so much as see a snowflake unless I have to. Many years ago my car slide on ice and spun around and left me a total nervous wreck (thankfully I wasn’t injured and my car was fine). Since then I get paranoid when I have to drive in inclement weather.
Living in the Northeast (NY) we know a thing or two about snow and driving in it. These are actual pictures of our cars taken after a typical snowstorm (as well as the photo on top).
Some people are all set for “braving the elements” when it comes to winter. They make sure they have heavy winter coats, hats, gloves, scarves, rock salt for the sidewalk and steps, snow shovel and snow blowers (or at least a neighborhood teen or two on speed dial so they can come over and shovel for you). YOU might be ready – but is your car?
Just in case you haven’t given “winterizing” your car any thought, here are some tips to get you started.
Check your tires. Before the roads get slick, check your tires to be sure they aren’t worn and that they are properly inflated. You should be able to find the proper tire pressure on the inside of your driver’s side door. Cold air will cause the air in your tires to compress and may cause your tires to lose pressure, so make a note to check again later in the winter.
Wash and wax your car at a professional car wash. Putting your car through the car wash during the sloppiest season of the year may seem a strange idea but a thorough wash can remove harmful compounds that may cause damage when mixed with sand and road salt.
Experts from the International Carwash Association also recommend a coat of wax for an extra layer of protection from the elements.
Besides protecting your car, you’ll also be protecting the environment. Professional car washes can save up to 20 percent of the amount of water you’d use by washing your car at home. They do this by treating and reusing their water, rather than releasing toxic chemicals and grime into the storm drains, which can often occur when you wash your car yourself. You can learn more about the environmental benefits of a professional car wash at washwithwatersavers.com.
Check your brakes. Your brakes will work harder once the icy conditions of winter set in. Make sure they are up to the task by bringing your vehicle in to your mechanic for a thorough brake inspection.
Check fluids. In the winter, no fluid is more important than your coolant because, if you’re out of coolant, you’re out of heat. Your owner’s manual will tell you how much coolant you need as well and provide the correct blend. It’s also never a bad idea to keep an additional bottle of coolant in your car for emergencies.
Winter emergency kit. If you find yourself stranded by the side of the road, a winter survival kit can be very helpful. Include an ice scraper/brush, extra blankets or clothes – including hats and gloves – snacks and bottled water and a first aid kit. A small shovel can come in handy if you get stuck and a bag of cat litter can be used to provide needed traction for your tires.
Since we have five cats having kitty litter on hand is easy for us. We actually by the inexpensive litter to use in our cars. Plus just in case we run out of litter one night and the store is not open we can just go to one of our cars and get some. 🙂
We also keep blankets in our car and first aid kits. I keep forgetting to pack some non-perishable snacks such as nuts and crackers. I have to make a note of that and do that later.
If you haven’t done so already please winterize your car. Even if you don’t live in an area that deals with ice and snow you can use this post as a gentle reminder to do some basic car maintancen (check brakes, fluids, tires…).
A special thank you to WaterSavers for these great tips. For more information please visit WashWithWaterSavers.com.
WaterSavers has also offered a great prize package for a lucky winner. One reader will win the following:
WaterSavers Cold Weather Survival Kit that includes:
- First Aid Kit
- Flashlight/Signal Torch
- 2 AA Batteries
- 2 Emergency Candles
- Box of Safety Matches
- 2 Hand Warmers
- Emergency Water Bag (1 Gallon Capacity)
- Survival Compass
- Emergency Blanket
- Cotton Glovers
The above items are packaged in a heavy-duty water and puncture resistant carrying case.
In addition the winner will also receive:
- $20 Visa Gift Card
- WaterSavers Reusable Tote Bag.
Thank you WaterSavers.
This giveaway is open to U.S. residents only and will end on December 14, 2013 at 11:59 PM (EST). The winner will be chosen at random using a random number generator from all eligible entries. The winner will be notified via e-mail and will have three days to reply or a new winner will be chosen in their place.
To enter please comment on this post and share a tip with me about preparing for the colder weather months – OR – why you would like to win this prize package?
For extra entries you can use the Rafflecopter widget (below) but you must complete the initial entry requirement or the additional entries won’t qualify (I do check). Extra entries are optional.
Kimberly
*I am working with the International Carwash Association to share these tips. However, my opinions are entirely my own and I have not been paid to publish positive comments.
Mary Happymommy says
Always have blankets in the car in case your car brakes down and you’re stranded somewhere in the cold.
Rhonda Mason says
I live in Maine so you know we have plenty of bad roads to drive on! Any extra protection is a good thing!
Emmy says
I’d like to win this prize so that I will be more prepared for emergencies.
krista lafave says
Living in Michigan has taught me a lot about cold weather survival lol. I always keep an extra blanket, coat, hat gloves etc in my trunk. It’s also a good idea to have the combo tool that breaks windows and cuts seatbelts. We also keep a flashlight in the car and it can also be used as a weapon lol.
Paula V says
I would love to win this. We are currently in a winter storm. I try to prepare by having a flashlight, candle, blanket, etc in my car during the winter.
Natasha says
We are actually iced in this morning and I have not prepared at all! This would be great to have on hand
Deb E says
I have a few things in my car but this is so much more complete. I don’t have anyone to help me with my car so it’s up to me to be prepared.
Amy @ Baby Nosh says
My husband is constantly giving me a hard time about not having an emergency kit in my car. This would be great to win!
Rachel Miller says
I usually have a blanket or 2 in the trunk, along with some flashlights, but this would really get me prepared for the upcoming weather!
Cynthia R says
i have an emergency kit in the car, last year my boyfriend bugged me until I got an emergency blanket.
darby says
I live in northern vt so we get tons of snow-the best tip that I have is to keep active and not let the weather get you down!
Karen Glatt says
A cold weather tip is to make sure you have your winter tires on before it gets really bad outside. Do not wait until the last minute to put on your winter tires, then you have to sit in the mechanic’s shop for hours.
Maureen says
I always try to keep the car at least 3/4 full in the winter. I have water bottles and blankets in the car with extra shoes and mittens and hats and scarves.
Adrienne Gordon says
i put an extra scraper in the car
Jackie McNutt says
I would like to have this as I am a senior citizen on my own and would like the peace of mind the kit provides.
Thank you
Ashleigh Swerdfeger says
Oops, nevermind open to US Only. This would be great to win though~
Ann says
I just moved to Ohio from Texas and would definitely need this!
Margaret Smith says
We carry newspaper and rock salt in our car trunk in case we get stuck.
Jessie C. says
We have our car winterized at local dealer’s, also add winter gears, blankets, food…etc into existed emergency kit in the car.
april yedinak says
The tip that has worked best for me is keep kitty litter in your trunk to help when your car gets stuck on snow or ice.
april yedinak says
follow on bloglovin
Jessica To says
I would like to win to be prepared for our wintry weather! We’re supposed to get snow and ice this weekend!
beth shepherd says
I always put warm blankets and a scraper in the car in the cold months.
Danielle says
Always make sure to have a blanket or 2 and water bottles/snacks/a car charger & first aid kit in the car just in case..
Debbie Jackson says
check your tires because the cold decreases the air pressure in them.
denise says
I live in MN and I worry when my daughter is driving my car. This would ease my mind a bit. I also drive up to Duluth to get her from school so it’s a long trip.
denise says
I follow you on blog lovin
Beth R says
In addition to the standard (keep a blanket in the car, etc.) I always keep a pair of warm winter boots in my car. You never know when you’re going to get stuck and you need the right shoes!
Ann Fantom says
My husband prepares my car for the winter by putting on the snow wiper blades, checking the tire’s air pressures and filling up the wiper fluid.
Cheryl Abdelnour says
WE LIVE IN MN. I WOULD LIKE TO WIN THIS FOR MY SON. MY SON COULD ALSO ADD MORE ITEMS TO THIS KIT,
Jenn says
Living in Michigan the winters sometimes are pretty ruff. We keep wool blankets rolled up in our trunk just incase we break down on the road.
Katie Amanda says
Upstate NY has some cold winters.
Michelle Elizondo says
We have freezing rain in the town where I live and we could use this extra supplies for a bind.
Sadie B. says
I like to put extra blankets in the car in case the kids are cold before the car warms up.
Kristie says
Drive safely! People tend to forget to signal early and slow down early when the roads are icy.
Cynthia C says
Check the wipers to make sure they are in good condition and put a snow brush and ice scraper in the trunk.
lynn cook says
i want to win this because i live in rhode island and i never seem to be prepared enough the snow
Cathy French says
In addition to having the ice scraper in your car you should also have blankets and water
Cathy French says
shared on twitter twitter name katieoscarlet url https://twitter.com/katieoscarlet/status/409381514393055232
Virginia Rowell says
I want to win because I am not prepared. The kit sounds awesome and I could definitely use it.
nicole krutz says
i want to win because i am not prepared!
Geoff K says
My tip would be to keep a tire pressure gauge in the car at all times — and keep an eye on your tire pressure when the weather gets cold so you don’t risk a blown tire while driving!
Jennifer B says
get your tires aired up and it’s good to get a tune up before the cold weather also check your windshield wipers
Angela Ke says
Candles and matches are good to caring in the winter months. Should you become stranded they can help keep you warm within your car with caution taken with an open flame.
D SCHMIDT says
I would love to win because we just moved to a very cold climate and this would really come in handy.
Jessica D says
We always put winter tires on the car here in western pa
Jay Dee says
I’d like to win this because I like to be prepared for emergencies.
Lea says
Make sure you have a small scraper in your vehicle at all times. Even when it isn’t the cold weather months yet.. Because you may forget to put it in when the snow and ice hits. Like we have done before. And a small scraper will not take up much room in your vehicle.
Tammy S says
We make sure to put blankets, extra snacks, water and the chains in the car during the winter months.
harolde says
I always flush out my radiator.
debbie says
Keep extra blankets, hats, gloves and snacks, in case you are stranded somewhere.
Betty says
Miliage is not the only trigger for an oil change/check uup for your car. If the commute changes or for whatever reason one car is not being used much, the car still needs a checkup before stating the winter season. Tires, breaks and fluids need to be spot on for safe travel.
Jennifer Rote says
I’d like to win this because cold weather has arrived and I have not prepared yet.
Jennifer R. says
I want to win this winter preparedness kit because I am not prepared and need to be.
Jennifer R. says
I am a follower on BLoglovin – Jennifer Reed
Sarah Hirsch says
keep a bag of winter supplies in your car so you are always ready for winter
Debra Hall says
i need this because my emergency kit is a bag of kitty litter
Kate D. says
To prepare for the cold winter weather, I always have my studded snow tires put on and have emergency items in my car – blanket, kitty litter, flashlight, batteries, gloves, energy bars.
DorothyTeel says
Important to carry blanket, water, extra car belts and the like in the car and a bag of cat litter in the winter incase you get stuck in the snow, helps with traction
melikegarfield says
We gave our homemade kit recently to my mother and haven’t had a chance to make a new one, so this would be a huge help to us (as well as a piece of mind for us).
Laura says
I live in south alabama where it snows very infrequently. However, when it DOES snow, there’s major panic everywhere and NO ONE is prepared for it! I’d like to have an advantage when it does happen!
Jennifer T. says
I don’t have any of those things in my car. Uh, oh. I’d love to win them to stock up my car.
jtmagmom73(at)gmail(dot)com
Jennifer T. says
I follow via bloglovin’ (magmom73).
jtmagmom73(at)gmail(dot)com
Christine says
I follow you on BlogLovin’.
Ellie W says
We don’t usually do much to prepare here in the Dallas area. But after the past few days we’ve learned our lesson. We’ve been iced in! I’d like to win this to prepare for a repeat disaster.
Jennifer Dunaway says
I mix up a big thing of alcohol and water to have on hand to pour on sidewalks and steps before it snow so ice does not build up.
Elena says
we change the oil and put on winter tires. also we always keep an emergency kit in the car
Lauren E. says
I want to win this for my husbands car. I always worry about him when he travels in his own vehicle for work
Candice says
I would like to win to put this in my boyfriend’s car. I know he doesn’t have an emergency kit.
Monique Rizzo says
This would be for my brother.
Thanks for the chance.
mogrill12@gmail.com
Monique Rizzo says
I keep an emergency bag in my car with food/water/cash etc.
Thanks for the chance.
mogrill12@gmail.com
Nina says
I would love to win this so I can be prepared when I travel.
kyl neusch says
I will be more prepared for emergencies.
Read more at https://www.shescribes.com/2013/12/how-to-prepare-your-car-for-the-cold-weather-months-giveaway-ends-121413.html#Xeo4Jqdb7H8eWRFO.99
Carmen says
I want to win because it is positively frigid here right now! Plus, I don’t have any winter weather gear in my vehicle
Daniel M says
check all fluids & tire pressures
Allison Downes says
My tip is to have an extra scraper and an emergency kit.
Thank you for the chance to win this!
vera says
Would love to win because we are moving to PA end of Jan. Thanks for the chance.
Pauline M says
For winter, I have a ritual…. putting my winter tires on my vehicle, stocking up on emergency water and 72 hours of food in my trunk and ensuring my AAA fees are paid!
Ben G says
I would like to win this so I may be better prepared for emergencies!
Crystal Renee says
We keep a wool blanket, flashlights, batteries, and an ice scraper in the trunk.
joseph gersch jr says
always pack a blanket in your car
joseph gersch jr says
follow blogloving jtwark
Kim H says
I always keep an emergency blanket and jumper cables in my car
Rebecca Peters says
I would love to win this because my vehicle is not prepared.. and living in Maine, it would prolly be the best idea to be prepared
Julie Lawson says
I keep spray for my windshield that melts the ice!!
BILL HOFF says
Need this for my wife’s car!
Brittney House says
We weather seal all the windows to keep out the cold and save on heating cost.
Paula Tavernie says
I would like to win this so I will be prepared!!
Andrina G says
I don’t have a kit because we don’t have a long season of cold weather but right now it is freezing and if I got stuck somewhere I wouldn’t have any supplies.
Laura F. says
I want to win this prize package because my emergency kit is sadly lacking. And that’s not like me. I love to be prepared.
Linda Kish says
I would like to win because it would be good to have an emergency kit in the truck in case the case ever breaks down. And, I could really use the gift card right about now.
jennifer cecil says
I keep an Emergency Mylar blanket in the glove box of every car we own.
Robin says
Always keep food and water in the car in case you get stranded somewhere.
Stephanie Larison says
We take the car into the shop here in town to make sure everything is running good.
Julie Smith says
Almost all of my tips were listed already – make certain you’re dressed warmly even if you’re only going out “for five minutes”, extra blankets in the car, check your tires, even the cat litter (which has saved me a number of times when I was stuck on ice). One that I never thought of was washing the car; I’ll add that one to my arsenal
brittney says
a little vinegar mixed with water will unfreeze frozen doors!
Angela M says
I would love to win this because I don’t have an emergency kit and I could really use one for my car.
Angela M says
Following on Bloglovin – thisisme79
Laura J says
Never let your gas tank get below a half of tank!
Susan Smith says
I keep a blanket, shovel, melting salt and ice scraper in my trunk for emergencies
Susan Smith says
Follow She Scribes on BlogLovin’
Candie L says
I always keep a blanket in the car. Thank you
Katherine says
I want to win this because we get alot of snow and have actually crashed my car in the snow and we had to have it towed so in case of an emergency this is the best thing to have.
Francine Anchondo says
Get your tires checked
jodi frasier/lasher says
I would love to win this because i am not prepared AT ALL and this would really help me out. Thanks
Lara T says
I always carry blankets and a snow shovel in my car when I travel!
Tanya White says
I also live in New York so I can use all of this stuff.
Shannon says
I don’t think I have any useful tips because where I live it doesn’t usually get too cold for long. I want to win because we could use all of these things, I know we particularly need a flashlight for the car.
heather s says
blankets, gloves, ice scraper
Denise Donaldson says
I keep an extra blanket and snacks in the trunk
Kathleen says
tip – always have at least one blanket in your car in case you break down
kport207 at gmail dot com
Tamar says
Get your snow tires on 🙂
Susan Smoaks says
i would love to win this because it would come in handy
laurie says
I always keep a blanket, candle, water in my trunk
Sharon says
I live in Southwest Georgia and we hardly ever have snow but we can get some hard freezes! We can be left without water or electricity. To prepare, we draw up water, wrap pipes and or leave faucets dripping, cover our wells with insulation (we live in the country) with a light bulb underneath the insulation if it’s an above ground jet pump well to put out heat. We also stock up on water, food and try to have another source of heat like a fireplace, wood burning stove or kerosene heater. Battery operated radios and TVs are nice too and of course antifreeze and lots of candles too! Stay warm this winter!
Sharon says
Shared this Giveaway on Pinterest. Link: http://www.pinterest.com/pin/481814860105969108/
Bryan E. says
Thanks for the giveaway…keep a good set of leather work gloves & an old throw rug or two in your trunk just in case you have to change a tire, etc.
Bryan E. says
Shared: http://www.pinterest.com/pin/574138652467018695/
Tim says
One of the tips I like is to never keep your tank under a quarter full. Also keep your windshield wipers up so they don’t freeze to the windshield.
Tim says
Follower on Blog Lovin’ as Timothy Jay
Tim says
I shared the giveaway on Pinterest here :
http://www.pinterest.com/pin/287104544968606785/
Trisha McKee says
I’d love to win because right now I am unprepared for this cold weather.
Trisha McKee says
Following on bloglovin as trisha mckee
Charlene Kuser says
I want to win this prize pack because the older I get the more I realize I need to be prepared
for the cold weather and emergencies.It can make a difference in a life or death situation.
Charlene Kuser says
I follow you on bloglovin (Charlene Kuser)
Charlene Kuser says
I shared this giveaway on Facebook (Charlene Kuser)
https://www.facebook.com/Swtlilchick/posts/10151984832599733
Sarah L says
I need most of the prizes to make my car winter safe.
Thanks for the contest.
Sarah L says
subscribe email: slehandwc at gmail dot com