Electrical Association

Prepare Your Car for Winter Roads

You can avoid many dangerous winter travel problems by planning ahead. Follow the checklist below.

• Have maintenance service on your vehicles as often as the manufacturer recommends.
• Have the radiator system serviced, or check the antifreeze level yourself with an antifreeze tester. Add antifreeze as needed.
• Replace windshield-wiper fluid with a wintertime mixture.
• Replace any worn tires, and check the air pressure in the tires.
• Keep the gas tank near full to help avoid ice in the tank and fuel lines.
• Prepare a winter survival kit for your vehicles
  • Blankets
  • First aid kit
  • A can, candles, and waterproof matches (to melt snow for water)
  • Candles
  • Windshield scraper
  • Booster cables
  • Road maps
  • Cell phone
  • Compass
  • Tool kit
  • Paper towels
  • Bag of sand or cat litter
  • Tow rope
  • Tire chains (in areas with heavy snow)
  • Collapsible shovel
  • Container of water and high-calorie canned or dried foods and a can opener
  • Flashlight and extra batteries
  • Canned compressed air with sealant (for emergency tire repair)
  • Brightly colored cloth

Source: US Department of Health and Human Services. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. www.cdc.gov (accessed December 19, 2008).