Pre - Winter List

The weather is still pleasant, but if you have been in Montana very long you know it will soon change.  It may only be a few weeks until that first snow storm blankets the area and stays. It is helpful to think about what your vehicle needs to perform under adverse winter conditions, so that you can adequately prepare for the cold weather. Is your heater working properly? Do you have a mobile cell phone charger or extra battery? Are you missing any of the normal tools that you have removed during the busy summer travel season? It is a matter of being ready when tougher conditions prevail. What a great time to get ahead, instead of waiting until all the stores have a shortage on extra winter gear. Try to stock up on what you need for the snowy weather before it takes you by surprise. It may be a lot easier to gather the things you need by making a checklist of what you already have and what you need to pick up. It helps if the list of supplies you need could pack into a fairly small box within the car. As it grows colder and the frost begins to develop, in the morning on your windshield, it is nice to have a good deicer in the windshield fluid. It is wonderful to have clear viewing when you are driving through rough conditions.

Check tires to make sure they have enough good tread to keep them working well. It is important to keep them gripping well on slick roads. If it is time to change your tires, consider a thicker tread for winter. If there is need for a set of snow tires, consider getting  them soon. It is a good thing to install all-weather mats and properly take care of anything that needs extra coverage.

It is not just a simple problem when moisture freezes on your car. If it is the windshield wiper blade or the fluid, make sure you are able to get it unstuck before you risk breaking or tearing the rubber. It is common to lift the blades away from the windshield and keep them in this upward position when the vehicle is parked. When you know conditions will be cold enough to cause trouble with freezing doors,  keep a close eye on any condensation that is building.

Keeping a first aid kit handy is helpful for any circumstance that arises, so think about what you could include-- bandages, ointment, or any other specific items for small medical needs. It is helpful to be prepared when traveling into the mountains or through dangerous weather conditions. It is helpful to keep the vehicle fairly ice free, have a number of go to tools, and take care of that oil pan heating situation before you realize the engine does not start. A well sealed container of extra gas could be helpful to take along on certain trips.

Extra mittens, a warm hat, a couple blankets are great to have along and often provide that little extra warmth when needed. It is essential to find a good tow rope and shovel for on or off - road travel in the snow and cold, for those dreaded times when you must pull your vehicle out of a rut. It is also important to keep an extra flashlight and an ice scraper on hand. Carrying along a bag of sand or kitty litter for additional traction isn't a bad idea either. What is on your list of "must have" winter accessories? Share your best options for taking some of the concerns out of driving this winter.

Posted by Bryon: Bryon is the promotional marketing man for SHINES AUTOS METICULOUSLY. He is an avid graphic design artist who enjoys working to bring creative ideas, through writing and visuals, to the detailing business.

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