Three Things to Have with You When Traveling during the Winter

Automotive Blog

The holiday season is here, and, for many people, that means traveling. For various reasons, many people choose to drive to their holiday destination. If you are traveling by car to an area where cold temperatures and snow is the norm, there are some extra precautions you will need to take. Here are three things to have with you when traveling during the winter. 

Vehicle Emergency Kit 

Even if your car can handle any type of terrain and easily gets through snow, sleet, and ice, you should have a vehicle emergency kit with you as you travel. In some parts of the country, a blizzard can hit quickly without a lot of warning. It's always best to be prepared when you are heading into territory where cold, snowy weather can pose a life-threatening situation. Some of the items your vehicle emergency kit should contain include:  

  • Water
  • Energy bars
  • LED flashlights
  • Emergency radio
  • Flares

Blizzards characteristically last for at least three hours and have been known to last up to 24 hours. Keep in mind, it can take time for roadways to become cleared and for traffic to start moving again. Having a vehicle emergency kit will give you peace of mind if you find yourself stranded in a blizzard.

Warm Clothes/Footwear

If you are traveling for the holidays, chances are you are already going to pack extra clothes. When driving long distances during the winter, it's good to make sure some of these clothes are extra warm, like:

  • Socks
  • Mittens
  • Scarf
  • Head covering
  • Winter coat
  • Winter boots

While having these items along may seem like overkill, you never know when your vehicle's heat could go out or if you'll be stranded temporarily on the side of the road. Even though it takes up extra room to pack warm clothes and footwear, it is better to be safe than sorry.  

Contact Information for Roadside Assistance

When you're driving, it's always good to be prepared just in case things go wrong. This is especially true when driving during the winter. Whether your battery dies, you run out of fuel, or your vehicle breaks down and you need to get towed to the nearest garage, it's a good idea to know how to get roadside assistance.

While there are many apps available to easily get roadside assistance, you can also check your car insurance policy, your wireless service provider, or the manufacturer of your car to see if roadside assistance is included in your contract. 

For more information about roadside assistance and how you can be prepared for your winter road trip, talk to a company like Parkway Wrecker Service.

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Driving a New Vehicle Style Was Easier Than I Expected

I drove small compact cars for over a decade. After I got married and had children, I began to realize that we could use more room than we had in my small car. I was considering buying an SUV or a small van, but I hesitated on making the change for quite a while due to thinking that it would be very difficult for me to learn to drive a new automobile style! Finally, I got up the nerve to test drive an SUV at a local dealership, and I was shocked at how easy it was to drive! I felt a little higher in the air, and that was the only difference. I decided to start a blog to share my story with other people afraid to switch vehicle styles and share other auto tips I have learned! I hope I can help you!