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Prepare Yourself for a Winter Commute

By Fisher Swanson

Winter is nearly upon us and in many places winter weather has already arrived. Even if you commute or drive short distances in the winter, it's good to be prepared in case of a an emergency. In this article you will find items that you can have in your car to help you if you have car trouble in the bitter cold. I usually remove some of these items in the summer for fuel economy but now is the time to take stock and make sure you have everything you need in case of an emergency.

Clothing and Blankets:

It's nice to have warm blankets in your car in case you have to spend a long time waiting for help. I like the polar fleece blankets because they are warm, light weight and don't use up much trunk space. You can also get emergency blankets (also known as Space blankets) for cheap in the camping section at Walmart or Target. These are very thin mylar sheets that radiate your body heat back to you.

I also carry a rain coat and rubber boots in my trunk. Even though I usually wear a coat when I drive, the rain coat will keep it dry if I am in the rain or the snow for a long time.

Ice and Snow:

A bag of sand is useful if you find yourself stuck on ice. The additional weight will also help with traction. Tire chains are a must have. Most people have a set sitting in their garage. Make sure they fit your tires and make it into your trunk.

A little shovel can come in handy if your car is stuck. You can get a nice folding shovel at the army surplus store for a reasonable price. And of course, a good ice scraper is a must have. It's amazing how these can disappear in the summer and you end up scraping your windshield with a tape case or an old library card. If you get a lot of snow a snow brush is also helpful.

This may be overboard but I also carry a tow rope. Say you have a Geo Metro, there isn't much you can tow out of a ditch. But if someone with a truck stops to help, you aren't relying on them to supply a rope or chain.

Prepare your car:

A well maintained car will help you in winter weather. Make sure all your fluids have been checked. Have your radiator, battery and brakes serviced if needed. Make sure you have adequate antifreeze. There is no better time to have your car aligned and tires rotated. It's best to have the same tire tread on all four wheels. Ideally a snow or all weather tire.

Other Useful Items:

Here are some more items that I strongly suggest carrying:

A roll of quarters in case you need to make some calls
A Flashlight and an extra set of batteries
A cell phone or CB radio, even if just for emergencies
A list of phone numbers of people you know who might be able to help you
Some fresh water
Extra socks
A stocked first aid kit
A stocked tool kit
Extra windshield wipers
Tire pump
Lock de-icer
Emergency flares

A bottle of isopropol alcohol is also handy for de-icing your windshield. This can be used in place of expensive aerosol de-icers. Just put it into a spray bottle.

Depending on where you live and length of your commute, some of these items may be unnecessary. If you live in an area that gets a lot of snow and cold whether, even if it's only occasional, it's better to be safe than sorry.

About The Author:
Fisher Swanson is a Contributing Editor at ThriftyFun.com. Copyright (C) ThriftyFun.com 2000-2003

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