Slippery, bitter, and brisk, this is only three words to describe the winter season. I know no one enjoys talking about the cold and what comes with it. But we all know it is vital to stay safe on these snow-covered roads when they finally get here. So here are 6 simple ways to stay safe on snow-covered roads.
Winter Tires
Well, of course, I am going to say winter tires need to be on your vehicle in snow-covered roads. But the real question is which winter tires are the best for this winter climate? I have used and will always stand by Blizzak by Bridgestone Tires.
These are not only a very well known winter tire but in my opinion the best winter tires on the market. I have tried Pirelli Scorpions as well in the snow, but they were not as good as the Blizzaks were. The Blizzak tire does have spikes on them to grip the road better through the ice and snow.
Are you looking for a new set of Blizzaks for this Winter? Check the current prices on Amazon here and have them delivered to you or the tire shop of your choosing. That’s what I did with mine, and I love the new set! (except I got the Hankook all season this time, there isn’t much snow in Virginia.
The place where I tested these tires were in Calgary, Alberta. Now if you know anything about the winter months in Canada, you know that it is long and is the true definition of the word cold as hell.
So with the tires being tested in a freezing climate and not losing traction not even once, these are the tires you want in the winter to protect you, your family, and your vehicle on those snow-covered roads.
Have you ever looked into the advantages of spending more on your brake pads? Don’t worry, I have and what I found is here in my article.
A ½ tank of fuel
The importance of keeping at least a ¼ tank of fuel in your vehicle at all times is vital to your car. In the winter, there are snow-covered roads that all of us are well aware. Because those roads are covered with snow and visibility and traffic is cut in half.
It is difficult to spot someone that has gone off the road, especially if they went far off the street or in a gully or ditch. With traffic also being lower due to the inclement weather this gives you an unknown amount of time that someone will be driving by to spot your vehicle. So we keep ½ a tank of
fuel in our vehicle to keep ourselves warm in the cold weather.
Always check your cell phone to see if you can find a signal and when you do find a mile marker and road if you can, this way, emergency services have a location to look for you.
The vehicle and emergency services can locate vehicles that have onboard GPS. It is a different story with getting the location of your cell phone. Let me say this first, do not count on the 911 dispatcher to know your location.
911 has to get clearance from your cell phone provider before they can pinpoint your phone’s location. Once they get permission from your provider, they will find out which cell tower your phone is using, and they can ping your location.
So do not wait on 911 to get your location if all possible find an area or a landmark that you can give the dispatcher when you call them.
This will make it easier for emergency services to find you, and it will also make this ordeal that much quicker to be over.
First aid kit w/ foldable shovel
This is a priceless addition you need for your vehicle, whether it is winter or not. In this first aid kit, you are not just going to pack the regular stuff (band-aids, Neosporin, etc.) but you are going to pack things to counteract things you can be hurt by in the wintertime as in frostbite. So to assist us with that you need to have hand warmers in our first aid kit.
Here is an excellent first aid kit on Amazon has everything you need besides the hand warmers; those can be added.
I also added in a roadside triangle to my roadside kit, remember you want to help people spot you and your vehicle.
Here is a roadside kit with a first aid kit in it that will provide you with everything you need minus the hand warmers and foldable shovel. The shovel is going to come in handy if you need to unbury your vehicle from the snow or mud.
Remember the old saying it is better to be prepared than sorry? This is that time to make sure you, your family, and your vehicle are ready.
You will be surprised by this one here’s my article on 12 Crucial Maintenance Things to Check on your Vehicle.
MRE’s
We already know food is essential to our bodies but how important is eating in a winter climate? Research has shown that eating causes warmth to our bodies, and our body generates 10% more heat with a full stomach than an empty one. Also, did you know that our body does not burn additional calories in a cold climate?
Our body will start to burn calories in a cold climate once we begin to shiver. Our body starts to shiver so it can generate heat and warm itself back up by using your stored energy, your body uses it so quick it burns 400 calories an hour just by shivering!
An MRE has 2000 calories in it and is built specifically for soldiers in the field that have a high demand for calories for their bodies to stay warm and still have the energy to carry out their job.
So make sure in your first aid pack you have a couple of MRE’s so you can keep fueling your busy with more energy. Here is the link to Amazon for a case of 12.
Boost pack
It doesn’t even have to be cold for you to carry this in your vehicle at all times. There is a wide array of boost packs that you can get, and it all depends on what you plan to do with it. My wife and I picked up a boost pack for our family vehicle, and it has wall outlets (120 volts) and USB connections attached to it.
It also can jumpstart a vehicle and has a light attached to it. The big downside to that boost pack is that it is cumbersome, and my wife struggles to carry it without me. So in that case, if you need a boost pack and you want to keep it light, there is the boost pack that is the size of a notebook.
That would work great for you if you are trying to keep the weight as minimal as possible. In cold weather weak batteries due quicker than in a warm climate. DO NOT JUMPSTART A FROZEN BATTERY!!
Attempting to jump-start a frozen battery will cause the battery to explode. Remember to attach your red power cable first on both batteries followed by the black ground cable.
Prevent yourself from being stranded on the highway with an overheated vehicle. Here’s my article on How often should I replace my car’s thermostat?
Winter attire
It might sound like common sense to wear winter attire in the winter, but some people do, not including myself. I guess after living in Canada where I saw temperatures drop to -40 degrees Fahrenheit a typical winter of 10 degrees Fahrenheit doesn’t feel so bad.
But with climatization moved to the side this section is about winter attire and the importance of being able to stay warm in the worst-case scenario that you are stuck on the side of the road and your vehicle will not start.
In this case, you need to make sure that you can stay warm until emergency services arrive. That does not mean you have to go on your long road trip wearing a sweater and a Carhartt snowsuit, which is very warm. Bring warm clothes with you but travel in something that you are comfortable with.
This way you are still covered in case the worst happens, but if it doesn’t, you are still comfortable on your trip. Remember, when it comes to surviving the cold, it is all about layering.
So when you are packing your cold-weather bag pack for layers. (Exp. Short sleeve shirt over a thermal long sleeve shirt, but under a hoodie and a coat) this is the proper amount of layering, and this will be able to protect you from the harsh winds and bitter cold.
None of us want to see a person stuck in the snow with no help in sight. Now you know the importance of being ready for the worst. You also know the importance of being able to stay warm in the cold.
Make sure that you and your family are prepared and your vehicle is ready as well by keeping up to date with your scheduled maintenance interval, this will give you peace of mind that you and your family are safe and will arrive at your final destination safely.
Thank you for checking out another article of mine. I hope you enjoyed it and it helped you with the problem you are experiencing. Check out my YouTube channel as well for how-to video guides! Thank you again, and I hope you enjoy my next piece!
