Affordable pre-packaged safety kits can be purchased at virtually any tire store and most discount department stores. The best ones include an air compressor powered by a cigarette lighter or power port, a flashlight, jumper cables, searchlights, a spare lug wrench, a first aid kit, and even a collapsible shovel.
With a quick trip to any dollar outlet store, you can also add other inexpensive items that can really make a difference during a winter driving emergency. Get creative and put together a second “personalized safety kit” that includes gloves, a rain poncho, energy bars, a bottle of anti-icing windshield washer fluid, and maybe even a blanket with the name of your friend’s favorite college or professional sports team or family. and logo. You can also add a cell phone car charger or cord, one that fits into your cigarette lighter or power port, in case a friend or family member’s cell phone loses power during a winter emergency.
A friendly reminder to visit a local tire shop to make sure your vehicle is winter-ready can also help eliminate an emergency phone call on a chilly winter night.
Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certified technicians at most tire shops will perform a free multi-point safety inspection to help ensure the vehicle is prepared for winter driving. They will inspect the engine, major mechanical and electrical components, check filters, fluids, and coolant level, as well as inspect headlights, signal lights, windshield/rear window wipers, and windshield washer system. Those are winter safety items that most drivers often forget to inspect. They are also the most troublesome to repair or correct on a sub-zero winter morning.
ASE-certified technicians will also check tires for snow traction. For proper traction in snow, the tread depth should be at least 6/32 inch deep. Most new all-season passenger car tires typically have a 10/32-inch tread. Therefore, if a vehicle is equipped with all-season tires, snow or winter tires may be recommended. They are clearly marked with a “mountain snowflake symbol” on the sidewall to indicate they meet an industry standard for snow traction tires.
No discussion of winter driving would be complete without mentioning some driving tips. If you are a winter driving veteran or facing your first winter in Michigan or Ohio, remember:
- Be Prepared: Winter weather can be unpredictable. Visit your local tire shop and have your vehicle inspected by ASE-certified technicians to make sure it’s ready to safely handle winter driving conditions.
- Slow down: Slippery roads make even the smallest mistake happen faster and more dramatically. Don’t assume that the vehicle’s anti-lock brakes, stability control systems, or other systems will prevent this from happening. Driving too fast is the most common cause of winter driving errors.
- Keep a safe distance: Keeping a safe distance between you and the car in front of you can give you the extra stopping distance needed to avoid a rear-end collision on icy or snow-covered streets.
- Watch for black ice: Black ice, also called glare ice, is one of the worst winter driving hazards. It is almost transparent and often looks like a harmless puddle. Remember, if the road ahead looks slippery, it probably is.
- Remember the hard spots: Ice often remains on bridges and intersections long after the rest of the trail is clear. Snow also sticks longer in shaded areas. Look ahead, remember the tricky spots, and be prepared to handle potential slippery corners and intersections before you reach them.
So, forget about the traditional holiday tie, turtleneck sweater, or fruitcake. An auto safety kit and a friendly reminder to visit a local tire shop to help ensure your vehicle is ready for winter driving may be the most thoughtful gifts you can give anyone on your holiday shopping list. And by remembering a few important winter driving tips, you’ll be able to share many more of the holidays with them, too.
