(NC) For many of us, the cold weather doesn’t mean staying home and watching the snow fall outside the window. Lots of us are planning seasonal activities, and one of the most popular ones is a winter road trip.
A recent survey found that Canadians who plan to take a road trip this season are planning weekend getaways, visiting family during the holidays, going to a cottage or even just getting out of the house.
Despite the cold, people are eager to hop in their cars for some much-needed time away from home.
To mitigate any cold weather driving challenges, the experts at OK Tire share an essential checklist below:
■ Do a pre-trip road check.
Make sure you cover the basics and the not-so-basics. Refill fluids such as antifreeze, brake fluid and wiper fluid and ensure your oil and gas are at the necessary levels.
Test your heater and inspect your winter wiper blades for unusual sounds or streaks on the windshield. When in doubt, bring your vehicle to your local OK Tire location for a checkup.
If you haven’t already, now’s the time to switch to winter tires, which are designed to offer traction on ice and snow. Don’t forget to check tire air pressure too.
■ Pack an emergency kit.
A roadside emergency can be less daunting with the right necessities.
Pack essentials such as a first-aid kit, a fully charged portable phone charger, non-perishable snacks and water, paper roadmaps, a blanket, a shovel and a flashlight.
Always have an extra jug of windshield washer fluid handy and make sure your spare tire is accessible and ready to use.
Public Safety Canada advises that the following emergency items be stored securely in your vehicle at all times:1
ㆍ Non-perishable food items, such as energy bars
ㆍ Water in plastic bottles that won’t break if the water freezes
ㆍ Blankets
ㆍ Extra clothing and shoes/boots
ㆍ First aid kit with seatbelt cutter
ㆍ Candle in a deep can and matches
ㆍ Wind-up flashlight
ㆍ A whistle in case you need to attract attention
ㆍ Roadmaps
ㆍ Copy of your emergency plan
It is also recommended that you keep the following items in your trunk:
ㆍ Sand or salt, cat litter will also work
ㆍ Antifreeze and windshield washer fluid
ㆍ Tow rope
ㆍ Jumper cables
ㆍ Fire extinguisher
ㆍ Warning light or road flares
■ Pay extra attention.
While this might be a no-brainer, weather-related factors can put a stop to your road trip. For example, watch out for black ice.
Black ice can form in many ways — even, under the right conditions, water vapour from rivers and streams can freeze into black ice on the roadway.
That’s why it’s extra important to look ahead and anticipate these challenges and to adjust your driving speed and steering accordingly. (Source: News Canada)
