What to Keep in Your Car in the Winter: Tips from a Mechanic in Minneapolis, MN

Minnesota winters can be absolutely brutal. The combination of seemingly endless snowstorms plus subzero temperatures for stretches of days at a time is never something residents look forward to.

That being said, we all know it’s coming every single year, so it’s important to do our due diligence and make sure we are prepared for it, both at our homes and with our vehicles. If you’re out on the road, you don’t want to be stranded for long periods of time on the side of the road without anything to keep you comfortable.

One of the best ways to prepare for winter driving is to make a winter survival kit. In the event of an emergency, the contents of this kit could save your life and your passengers’ lives as well.

Here are a few tips from a mechanic in Minneapolis, MN about what you should add to your vehicle’s winter survival kit:

• Shovel: A small shovel comes in handy not just for if you’re plowed into your car after parking on the street during a storm, but also if you’re stuck on the side of the road or highway for a long period of time in a snowstorm, or if you go off the road into grass or an area that has not been plowed or shoveled.
• Scraper and broom: Before you start your vehicle, you need to make sure your front and back windshields are completely clear of snow and ice. A scraper and small broom/brush will suffice for this.
• Flashlight and extra batteries: If you are in an emergency situation after dark, you’ll need a flashlight to see, and you’ll probably want to spare the battery on your phone.
• Food and water: Have a few snacks like energy bars, raisins, mini candy bars and trail mix that can give you a quick jolt of nutrients and energy. Be sure to have water on hand as well so you can stay hydrated.
• Extra winter items: Hats, socks, gloves, mittens, scarves and earmuffs are all examples of extra winter clothing items you can pack into your survival kit. Thermal blankets are also ideal, and they can easily fold up to fit in a glove compartment.
• Road salt or cat litter: If your vehicle slides off the road, using salt or cat litter underneath the wheels can help you gain the extra traction you need to be able to get yourself out.
• Booster cables: If your battery dies, you should have booster cables available to give yourself a jump with the help of another vehicle. Make sure you know how to use them!
• Cell phone adapter: It’s important to keep your cell phone battery at a reasonable level, so if your car is still able to run, have it plugged into an adapter that also plugs into the lighter in your vehicle.

For more tips about what items should be included in your winter survival kit, contact a mechanic in Minneapolis, MN.

Categorised in: Mechanic

This post was written by Sharon Morgan