Winter Car Prep & Checklist

   
         The winds are picking up and the temperatures are going down. The snow is falling and the cars are skidding. Yup! It's time to make sure your vehicle is in excellent condition to handle the icy grip of winter that will take hold of the northern lands.

Things that need to be in your trunk:

•   First Aid Kit 

NOTE: Some first aid kits come with more automobile related items than others. I HIGLY recommend one of these. The kit might be a little more pricey, but they come with items such as towropes, jumper cables, flashlights, matches, tape, Fix-a-Flat, blankets, and other road related items all-in-one. While they might not be high quality items, at least they should help you get out of a jam once.  There are many First Aid kits to choose from, but a quick search on Amazon found this FIRST AID KIT. Well worth the extra money.

• Water/food
• Snowbrush
• Shovel 
• Tow Rope 
• Jumper cable or Jumper box 
• Matches (If your first aid kit does't have them) 
• Blankets, gloves, and anything else to stay warm
• Sand for weight (Pickup truck) and traction (Any vehicle) 
• Boots
• Washer fluid 
• Cell phone charger/extra battery 

Alright, so now that the trunk is loaded down and you are killing gas milage with all the extra weight, what kind of car maintenance should be done before the snowflakes start falling? 

Winter Car Maintenance:

• Snow Tires 

Note: Yes, we know that you're getting sick of hearing it, but C&C HIGHLY recommends snow tires. We even suggest them if you drive a truck! Remember 4x4 or AWD only helps you get unstuck. Snow tires help with not getting stuck, steering, and stopping. Even if there is no snow, snow tires improve stopping distances in the cold.

• Oil change & "checkup" - make sure those fluids are topped up!
• Check to see your heater and defrosters work
• Check tire tread depth & tire pressure 
• Make sure those brakes have plenty of meat on them!
• Replace worn windshield wipers 

It's that time of year again.

     Cinnamon donuts, warm cider, and frosty breath in the crisp air. Yup, fall is here. While everybody has those toasty, cinnamon fat-rings on their minds and hockey, it's also time to start thinking about winter preparation for that four wheel love in your life.

     Yes, yes, we here at C&C love to boast about snow tires. We do this because they should be on your car's winter prep list. As the frost and snow settles in, tires (yes even "all season" tires) will start to turn into hockey pucks. Meaning that in colder temps, rubber in those tires will become harder and stiffer. This stiffening will make your car's stopping distances increase and traction decrease in the rain, snow, and even on dry pavement. 

    I have summer performance tires on my car. These tires came with a warning. I am not to use these tires below 35 degrees. Honestly, these tires performance start degrading around the 45 degree mark. Snow? With these tires? I'm not brave enough. They are treacherous in the snow. They have as much traction as a cat on a polished hardwood floor. No traction whatsoever. 

Moral? Get those snow tires on! Even if you have all season tires. 

Stay tuned for a complete winter prep for you car.