Have You Gotten Your Vehicle Ready for the Minnesota Winter?

By my count, yesterday’s light dusting of snow was our fourth of the year. Travel yesterday morning especially was tricky for many motorists who were getting on the road shortly after crews who were working on clearing a path got out themselves. 

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During the previous “snow events” we’ll call them, even though they didn’t produce a massive amount of snow on the ground, hazardous driving was created for sure.  

According to the Census Bureau, Minnesotans average just over 25 minutes on the road to work, and of course that’s 25 minutes back at the end of the day. Which means there’s plenty of opportunity to encounter a problem when we do have snow.  

Here are some tips from AAA on what we should have in our cars this winter. 

Jumper Cables 

Spare Tire and Jack 

Flares and Reflectors- In case you have to pull to the side of the road or even worse and you run off the road. 

A tool kit- With some basic tools at a minimum, but the more tools you have that can be used on your or someone else’s car the better. 

Ice Scrapper 

Shovel- This could be a lifesaving tool if you find yourself in deeper snow, or you need to assist another driver who finds themself in trouble.  

Flashlight with fresh batteries 

Blankets- Having a couple of these will help you stay warm in case you are stranded or could be helpful to someone else that you try to help. 

First-Aid Kit 

Cell Phone Charger 

Water and Snacks 

Here are some other things you need to take care of before the winter weather gets worse. 

Check your tires and change them if need be. 

Make sure your headlights, taillights and signals are working properly. Also make sure your tires are inflated to the suggested amount. Keeping your tires inflated can be a bit of a challenge with the colder weather we’ve been having lately. 

Make sure you have antifreeze in your vehicle.  

Add hydrophobic repellent, like Rain X to your windshield. This could make the scrapping you may have to do a lot easier.  

Check your battery. Doing this now could help you keep from being stranded on one of the many cold days we’re expecting.  

I used to travel 45 minutes one way to work, and during the winter I would keep at least one change of clothes if not two. Being able to get out of wet clothes could help you survive being stranded a lot easier.  

Most of these things are easy to check on now and take care of. Hopefully these things can help keep you safe during what could be a long winter season.