WINTER DRIVING ESSENTIALS

A few months ago, we at Fife Towing provided a list of emergency survival items for the summer months.

A supply of water, non-perishable food, a flashlight, a couple of blankets, a lighter, and a first aid kit are necessary for summer – and for winter as well, frankly.

Some items should be kept in your glove compartment (for example another tool we mentioned in a previous blog entry– the Seatbelt Cutter and Windshield Hammer tool), while others can be stored in a sealed container in your trunk.

When winter begins to loom, put a couple of spare pairs of gloves in this container, as well as spare socks and boots.

If you don’t already carry jumper cables and road flares, it would be good to get some. If you’re going to go driving into the mountains, get some tire chains – make sure they fit your tires and practice putting them on!

Another good tool would be a cell phone charger, as it’s essential that you be able to contact emergency services if you’re stuck somewhere, and the last thing you want is for your cell phone to go dead.

“Winterize” your car – take it in to your auto service folks and get an oil change for winter, and have them check belts and hoses, as well as your brakes, radiator, and lights.

Winter specific tips

• Check your windshield wiper fluid and fill it up periodically, even if it isn’t on “empty.”
• Fill your gas tank whenever it gets to the halfway mark.
• When going on trips, leave an itinerary in a prominent place in your kitchen, or with friends, listing the roads you expect to take (and don’t deviate from them!) and the dates you’ll be going and returning.