Winterize Your Car

Driving in the winter means snow, sleet and ice that can lead to slower traffic, hazardous road conditions, hot tempers and unforeseen dangers. Weather At any temperature -- 20° Fahrenheit below zero or 90° Fahrenheit above -- weather affects road and driving conditions and can pose serious problems. It is important to monitor forecasts on the Web, radio, TV, cable weather channel, or in the daily papers. Necessary Equipment An emergency situation on the road can arise at any time and you must be prepared. In addition to making sure you have the tune-up, a full tank of gas, and fresh anti-freeze, you should carry the following items in your trunk: • Properly inflated spare tire, wheel wrench and tripod-type jack • Shovel • Jumper cables • Tow and tire chains • Bag of salt or cat litter • Tool kit Essential Supplies Be prepared with a "survival kit" that should always remain in the car. Replenish after use. Essential supplies include: • Working flashlight and extra batteries • Reflective triangles and brightly-colored cloth • Compass • First aid kit • Exterior windshield cleaner • Ice scraper and snow brush • Wooden stick matches in a waterproof container • Non-perishable, high-energy foods like unsalted canned nuts, dried fruits, and hard candy. In addition, if you are driving long distances under cold, snowy, and icy conditions, you should also carry supplies to keep you warm such as heavy woolen mittens, socks, a cap and blankets.

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