Be prepared for whatever the winter has in store with our tips for safe winter driving and our checklist of suggested items to be kept in every vehicle. 

Tips for Safe Winter Driving

• Stay alert and drive consciously.  In the winter, even when the sun is shining and the road looks clear, there’s potential for patches of ice on the road.  Be aware of everyone driving around you even more than in the summer.  Cut back on any actions (talking on the phone, that may take your attention from the road.
• Remember that bridges ice up before roads. 
• Drive slowly.  Take into consideration those who may choose to drive as if it’s not winter.
• Increase the distance between your car and the car in front of you.  It can take 4-10 times as long to stop your vehicle on a slippery road.
• Have your brakes checked to make sure they are in good condition.
• Be careful about when and how hard you apply the brakes. If you are approaching a patch of ice, brake during your approach. Applying pressure to your brakes while on the ice could cause you to go into a skid.  Anti-lock brakes are designed to do the pumping for you, so don’t pump them.  Press firmly on the pedal and let the brakes do the rest.  With conventional brakes, gently pump the brake pedal.
• To maintain control on curves and turns, reduce your speed. Any sudden acceleration or deceleration during a turn will send you into a skid.
  Give snowplows extra space to do their work.  If you are behind one, allow at least a few car lengths between it and your car.  And pass them very carefully.
• Never use cruise control on snowy or icy roadways.
• Keep tires properly inflated.  Have them checked prior to winter and midway through winter. 
• Slow down. Posted speed limits are really only for ideal weather conditions.
• Improve visibility before leaving home. No matter how tempted you may be to get on the road, clear all ice and snow from your vehicle.  Make sure that snow is off the side view mirrors, headlights and taillights.  Clear off side windows to improve visibility for making lane changes.  And be considerate to others by removing snow from hood, roof and trunk so it doesn’t fly off and obstruct the views of other drivers on the road.  And in many states, the law requires that ALL of your windows be clear before you hit the road.
• Low beams are best for improved visibility when driving in an ice or snowstorm.
• Posted speed limits are only for ideal weather conditions.  Under any other type of weather; rain, ice or snow, slow down and give yourself time to react to whatever circumstance might arise.
• Check to see if your windshield wiper blades need to be changed, even on a new car.  Wiper blades can deteriorate even on a new car that's been sitting for any length of time on a storage lot. The rubber in the blades is vulnerable to the elements as well as road contaminants. That's why blades should be changed periodically, ideally twice a year, as a preventive measure.
• Drive with your gas tank as close to full as possible.  If you do get stuck or stranded, you’ll want to keep your engine running as a source of heat...you’ll want to stay warm.  However, if you have an older vehicle crack open the window a bit.  Older cars are more likely to have exhaust leaks and rust holes which could allow carbon monoxide to slowly leak into the passenger compartment.  Keeping a window open a bit will allow fresh air in and fumes out.
• Make sure to keep your windshield washer reservoir full.  On a messy day, you can go through half a gallon or more of windshield washer fluid trying to keep your windshield clear.  Keep a gallon of extra fluid in the trunk in case you run out.  And pay for the quality grade fluid!  Some of the cheaper fluids freeze around zero degrees, even if the bottle says “Good to Minus 30”.
• Slow down and drive consciously and thoughtfully.  Even if you’re late for work or an appointment.  Being a little late is much better than waiting for the police to fill out an accident report or a wrecker to pull you out of a snow bank   And if conditions are really bad, then everyone at the office, class, doctors office will probably be late too.

Be prepared for whatever the winter has in store with our checklist of suggested items to carry in your car trunk. 

If you live in clear and sunny California or cold and sensational Colorado, a well stocked trunk can be useful in any weather, any circumstance, any time.

Here is a list of suggested items to always carry.

• Air tight container of Non-perishable food - energy bars, dried fruit, dried meat products, trail mix, etc.
• Water - Depending on the size of your family, fill several large water containers 3/4 of the way full (to allow for freezing) with fresh water
• A bag of non perishable snacks
• First aid kit
• Moist towelettes
• Personal hygiene items, including a comb, brush, soap, contact lens supplies, feminine supplies, extra prescription and over the counter medications
• Flashlight, with spare bulb
• Portable radio
• Spare batteries for any battery operated devices
• If you wear glasses, an old or extra pair
• Extra clothing and boots.  A set of old sweats, extra warm socks and boots for each family member.
• Hats, gloves, etc.
• Blankets
• Plastic garbage bags, ties (for personal sanitation uses)
• A roll of toilet paper and one of paper towels
• Flares
• Cash-coins and bills
• Pencil and paper
• Emergency phone numbers
• Shovel
• Small broom
• Sand
• Jumper cables
• A brightly colored cloth, or piece of material to tie to the antenna in case of emergency.

Package the items in a duffle bag or old suitcase and label with the date packed and a list of contents.  Be sure to check and replace batteries, food and water every few months.

Do you need a way to organize all these helpful items in your trunk or SUV?  Check out our complete line of vehicle organizers!

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I fall, I stand still… I trudge on. I gain a little… I get more eager and climb higher and begin to see the widening horizon. Every struggle is a victory.

Helen Keller (1880-1968)