winter driving essentials by @MamaKautz

 

Winter Driving Essentials

These are the Top 10 items I take with me on winter road-trips.

Anytime we get in the car it is a minimum of 20 minutes drive time…usually 45. Throw in a trip to Seattle and a good day is 5 and a half hours. Anything that won’t be damaged by freezing temperatures goes into the car around Halloween. Anything else is as needed.

 

1. Tire Chains
Normally, if conditions call for chains, I stay home.
That’s not to say I could be in town, 40 minutes away, and have weather go down hill quickly.

2. Blankets
Always in the car. Especially if we are going over the mountain passes. Either to MT or to Western WA.
I have been known to leave a sleeping bag or two also. If you get stuck while they do avalanche control you don’t want to run your gas gauge down trying to stay warm.

3. First Aid Kit
This really goes without saying. I have kids. I always need a bandaid or neosporin.

4. Thermos of coffee
OK, So I don’t drive around with this in my car all winter. But you can bet me it will be on our 6 hour drives to Seattle. Again, you don’t want to get caught on the pass without either this or a thermos of hot chocolate.

5. Water
Stay hydrated. This is more frugal for me than anything. We all have our own water bottles and I fill them before we leave. Most gas stations will let you refill, for free, using the water on the soda fountain.

6. Snacks
In case you get stuck behind a slide off or the like. Nothing worse than crabby kids due to hunger.

7. De-icing windshield fluid
In summer I buy the bug kind, in winter I buy the ‘good to -20’ kind. This is a safety issue and I like to keep some in the car in case I run out.

8. Cell Phone Charger
When mom went into the hospital the first time my cell died from so many calls. My charger wasn’t in my car. I never leave the house with my phone low. Winter or otherwise. You can get this nifty battery size charger too. Fits in your BOB or EDC

9. This should be #1 A FULL TANK OF GAS!
I don’t let my car get below half tank in winter. Especially if there is a storm warning. Again, it comes down to ‘what if’ you get stuck behind an accident or you, God forbid, slide off the road. You need to stay warm.

10. Ice Scraper
Not your debit card. I drive a Suburban and need a long handle…It doesn’t help that I am on 5’4″.

 

 

Did I forget anything?
Please leave your suggestions in the comments.
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https://mamakautz.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/winter-driving-essentials-by-@MamaKautz.jpghttps://mamakautz.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/winter-driving-essentials-by-@MamaKautz-300x300.jpgMama KautzPreppingpreparedness,winter driving,winter preparedness  Winter Driving Essentials These are the Top 10 items I take with me on winter road-trips. Anytime we get in the car it is a minimum of 20 minutes drive time...usually 45. Throw in a trip to Seattle and a good day is 5 and a half hours. Anything that won't be...