Winter Driving Precautions and What to Bring

Winter scenery is incredibly beautiful, and many people still choose road trips as a way to travel during the winter. While road trips are convenient and fast, there are many safety hazards to be aware of when driving in the winter. You also need to be well-prepared before embarking on a winter road trip just in case something unexpected happens. So, what do you need to prepare and be aware of when driving in the winter?

1. A Four-Wheel Drive Is More Reliable

To travel freely through the snow-covered north, a four-wheel drive vehicle with excellent performance is essential. Only true off-road vehicles can navigate through snow that’s several inches deep. But for most people, four-wheel drives are unattainable. If you just want to experience a little “wildness,” especially in snow that’s less than 8 inches deep, most urban SUVs on the market can handle it. However, the passability of urban SUVs and off-road vehicles still differs significantly. Do not drive into deep snow to avoid getting stuck. Also, unless your planned route has paved roads all the way, it is not recommended to drive a sedan on a road trip, it is still more reliable to choose an SUV or an off-road vehicle.

2. Replace Tires with Snow Tires

You must have experienced slipping on ice and snow while walking. This is because the ground is slippery, and the shoes we wear do not provide enough friction. Vehicles need enough grip on ice and snow, too. Your regular all-season or highway tires will not work in these situations, which is why swapping your tires for winter tires is the best option. Snow tires have special tread patterns and unique configurations that allow the tires to maintain their elasticity and grip even in extremely cold temperatures. Additionally, when driving through snowy areas, to prevent getting stuck, it is a good idea to slightly deflate your tires to increase their contact area.

3. Be Prepared with Tire Chains

If you find the price of replacing your tires with snow tires too high, then tire chains are also an option. Regular tires with tire chains added can also provide sufficient grip on ice and snow, ensuring the vehicle’s safety. Tire chains generally come in two types: one is made of plastic, which is suitable for use on paved roads covered in snow. Driving briefly on a snow-free paved road will not cause much damage to the tires. However, it is not suitable for thick snow. The other type is made of metal chains, which can still provide good grip in thick snow. However, driving on snow-free paved roads with metal chains will cause significant damage to the tires, so it’s necessary to remove them after use.

4. Replace All Vehicle Fluids

Extremely cold weather is not only a great test for humans, but also a significant test for vehicles. However, with the significant advancements in vehicle technology, various temperature conditions were considered in the initial design. Unless it’s an extreme environment like Siberia where temperatures reach -50℃, the engine should start normally in temperatures between -20℃ and -30℃. However, vehicle fluid systems generally cannot operate at such low temperatures, especially engine oil and antifreeze (and even windshield washer fluid). So, it is recommended that you check the weather forecast for the area you are going to and then replace the appropriate fluids based on the lowest temperature.

5. Bring Enough Water and Food

In extremely cold environments, having a hot drink is the ultimate happiness. So, it is essential to bring a large thermos on your trip. Fill the thermos every morning, and you will have hot water to drink all day long. If the water in the thermos is not enough, there are also car electric kettles available now, which can heat water using the power converter from the cigarette lighter. However, before purchasing, you need to check the maximum conversion power of your car’s cigarette lighter to avoid blowing the fuse.

Low temperatures have a significant impact on physical energy consumption. So, you should replenish your body with more high-protein and high-calorie foods during your road trip. Hot soup, beef, and mutton are the best options. Additionally, it is important to replenish calories outdoors. Keep some food like chocolate or Snickers bars handy for quick calorie boosts.

6. Bring Tow Ropes and Jumper Cables

Tow ropes and jumper cables are essential vehicle rescue equipment. If your vehicle gets stuck in the snow, towing is an excellent rescue method. It’s recommended not to skimp on tow ropes and purchase those made of Dyneema material, as they are highly durable and reliable. Batteries may malfunction in low temperatures, and if the engine cannot start, you can have another vehicle provide power through jumper cables to help start your vehicle. So, these two pieces of equipment are excellent for vehicle rescue.