First let's talk about your car itself. Start where the rubber meets the road, and evaluate your tires. This starts with a simple visual inspection to look for any damage, and you can use a penny upside down to easily check the depth of your tread. When you place an upside down penny into the tread grooves, if you can cover any part of President Lincoln's head you have enough tire tread to meet the minimum standard. When is the last time you checked your spare tire to make sure it's inflated and in good shape? Would you rather find out that your spare is flat now or when you are sitting on the side of Highway 26 near Government Camp in the blowing snow? After looking at the visual condition of the tires, it's also essential that you check for proper air pressure, using a simple tire pressure gauge available from an auto parts store, and by reading the side walls of your tires you can determine if you are within the safe operating range. If you aren't sure about your tires, or can't inspect them yourselves, taking them to a local tire shop is the best way to make sure you are ready for winter. Next, it's a good idea to evaluate all of the vehicle fluids (motor oil, transmission lubricants, brake fluid, power steering, anti-freeze, etc.) to make sure they are fresh, clean, and at the appropriate level - your vehicle owners guide will help you do this, but if you don't have one there are resources online and even at the local library to help you identify where and how to check these things out. Your vehicle battery is often an overlooked component of your car, but the cold winter months can be hard on a battery and often times a battery will fail without warning, so checking your connections to make sure they are tight and corrosion free is a good first step for battery care. Also, batteries have about an average of a four year life span, so if your battery has been in there for awhile you may want to consider replacing it. Finally, check out your windshield wipers, and all of your lights to make sure they are in good shape and working. Having an extra set of lamps in your car, and the tools to replace them, is also a good idea for your emergency kit. 
So what about that emergency kit, what should one carry in their car in case the worst happens?
- A small assortment of hand tools, Phillips and slotted head screw drivers, a pocket knife, pliers, wrenches, even a small socket set, are all handy tools to have if an emergency happens, or a simple roadside repair job is needed.
- Flashlights with extra batteries
- A small folding shovel
- Battery jumper cables
- Tire chains (and practiced putting them on!)
- Fuses that match what your car needs, and extra lamp bulbs and headlights.
- Wool blanket or heavy sleeping bag
- Extra fluids for your car
- ABC rated fire extinguisher that is charged and accessible
- Road flares
- Gloves, socks, an extra jacket, and a pair of water proof boots
- Duct tape
- Spray lubricant like WD-40 or similar
- Non perishable food, and a can opener if you bring canned food
- Water proof matches or lighter, and fire starter materials like paper.
- Car charger for your cell phone
- The all important toilet paper!
Most of this can fit into a small plastic tote or tool box that can easily find a home in your trunk. It may seem like overkill to carry these things with you, and we hate to sound all doom and gloom, but wouldn't you rather have simple things like this and not need them then need them and not have them?
No comments:
Post a Comment