Day Trip to the Snow – Is Your Car Ready?
By Melissa Cameron
One of the things we love to do as the season gets colder is to get up into the mountains and enjoy the snow. Our skiing days are behind us, but we love having a winter picnic and letting the kids go tubing and sledding.
As essential part of these day trips is making sure that our car is ready for the conditions. Here are the typical things that we run through each year as it gets colder. Even if you live in a place that doesn’t get snow, it’s good to make sure you have checked the basics.
Routine Maintenance
Unless you are diligent, it’s easy to forget to keep up with the routine maintenance for your car. Don’t wait until something bad happens and you realize it was years since you had your last tune up. I am not talking about the large milestone warranty things, but rather those mid-milestone things that are important. Like a tune up, fluid flush or oil change. As we head through the winter season this is a great first step to make sure your car is read.
Treading Lightly?
This is a great time to check the tread on your tires. How is it looking? If they still have adequate tread but are wearing unevenly, get your tires rotated. If the treads are badly worn or if you see metal meshing, replace that tire now! Serious accidents can occur from high-speed tire blowouts. Finally, make sure your tires are filled to its recommended pressure.
Be sure to check road conditions before you head out to see if you will need chains. Even if you don’t see an alert, many passes will be staffed by troopers who will check to make sure you have chains, just in case. Weather conditions can change quickly in high-elevation environments, so don’t take any chances. Your local car dealership or local auto parts store can make recommendations on the best type of chains for your car and tire type.
Check out Your Emergency Supplies
Being prepared is not just for scouts. As you pack up all the essentials for your day trip in the snow, make sure you have all the ingredients for a good emergency car kit.
A basic first aid kit should be the foundation of any emergency car kit. The kit does not need to be extensive or expensive, but at minimum, it should contain the following: gloves, tweezers, small scissors, swabs, cotton balls and antibiotic cream. It should also include gauze, medical tape, non-adhesive bandages and an elastic bandage.
In your glove box, make sure you have a flashlight with fresh batteries, pen, paper and some extra cash. Make sure you have your automobile insurance information handy, including your policy number and agent contact information.
Speaking of car insurance, you can always give your agent a call to make sure you are not missing any ways of saving money on auto-insurance. Periodic policy reviews are good practice.
In your trunk keep a set of jumper cables and some road flares or warning triangles. Also include a couple of blankets. We have one that is bright red, so that it could double as a signaling device is needed. Keeping some bottles of water and non-perishable snacks like energy bars is also a good idea. The idea is to make sure you have some basic provisions to stay comfortable and warm in case you break down and need to wait for help.
Winter Picnic Fare
Some may think it’s strange to have a winter picnic, but bundling up in a sunny spot on a winter day can make for some great memories. We like to pack thermoses of hot chocolate and warm soup, along with some hearty bread and homemade cookies. Don’t forget to bring your camera to capture all the fun.
Author Information
Melissa Cameron is a freelance writer who likes to research online for the best deals. She is currently on the quest to find the best on-line cocoa recipes, the best online car insurance, and the best way to train a new puppy. When Melissa is not looking for the best of the internet, she loves making snowmen and snow angels with her two children.
Photo: Wikimedia





