This week I'm going to look at Winter Car Journeys, meaning how to ensure that you are ready to cope should your car break down on a cold winter day.
You know what is has been like this winter...the commute to work in slippery conditions, freezing cold as you drop the kids off, frostbitten fingers as you fill up the car...yes winter is not a lot of fun for the motorist, especially if the car heater takes an eternity to heat your frozen limbs! We take the car for granted, knowing it will get us safely to our destination in bad weather but do we really think about what can stop that journey?
-getting stuck in unexpected roadworks
-car accident causing tailbacks and delays
-your car breaks down or you are stranded
On a normal day, none of these things are a disaster but in winter they can be very serious. Imagine there has been an accident ahead of you due to snow or a sudden blizzard traps everyone in place as the road is closed and you are stuck in a long queue that is moving nowhere at all. You are going to have to wait until the emergency vehicles get there and clear the area. If you don't have a full petrol tank, you won't be able to keep your car heater running and within minutes you are going to be cold. It works the same if your car breaks down and roadside assistance is busy with numerous accidents due to the weather. They'll get to you but it could be a wait of a few hours. Are you equipped for that?
What do you need to have in your car?
1-full tank of petrol so you can sparingly run the heater if a long wait occurs and still have enough in the tank to get home.
2-warm blankets or very warm jackets to keep you heated. Your legs can get very cold
3-thermos flask of hot drinks for everyone travelling, or one with a hot drink and one with heated water for use with a self heating meal
4-food to keep your energy levels up and keep your system going. It can be MREs you eat cold, high energy snack foods from BOB or self heating meals
5-money (you might be lucky and near where you can buy what you need)
6-self heating meals and water to make them
https://www.openhouseproducts.com/just-add-water-science-behind-self-heating-meals/
7-if you have BOB (Bug Out Bag) you will have plenty to snack on and drink
8-salt or grit to help get out of a build up of snow to get you moving and a shovel
9-de-icer and a scraper to get your car ready to move
Other tips for digging your car out.
Whether you are at home or work, there may be a time when you have to dig your car out of excess snow. Here are a few handy tips...
-dig snow from tailpipe/exhaust FIRST to avoid a buildup of carbon monoxide
-if appropriate use snow tires or snow chains
-turn off traction control before switching engine on and dig your car out (see link)
https://www.lesschwab.com/learn/article/what-to-do-when-your-car-is-stuck-in-snow
Further reading:
http://readynutrition.com/resources/6-critical-tips-you-need-to-know-in-order-to-survive-being-stranded-in-your-car-in-freezing-temperatures_06012018/
http://prepperswill.com/10-ways-keep-car-becoming-trapped-snow/
When I lived in the north I had a kit for winter driving and a plan if I got caught out. Now I live in the south and have one for hurricanes. It's always wise to be prepared even if some people might think you are going overboard.
ReplyDeleteBetter to have it and not need it than need it and not have it, as they say!
DeleteNow this subject I'm a tad more familiar with. It was drilled into my head as a teen and young adult to never leave your car with less that 1/2 tank gas in case an emergency arises. Also, at the start of every season, we always put a bag of kitty litter in our cars in case we get stuck. I always have a scraper in the vehicle as well as a blanket. Gee, for once, I don't feel like a complete dunce!
ReplyDeleteSounds like you're pretty organised on this one! It's a good feeling to know you have plans and can act on them-a sense of security!
DeleteI am so bad at this. I have put blankets in the car to keep for emergencies....and my husband promptly takes them out and puts them in the garage. He doesn't even want to keep a scraper in the car. I have a 3 mile commute so I could walk if need be.
ReplyDeleteI think your husband needs to put them back! What if you are stuck for hours on the way somewhere in a blizzard with traffic at a standstill around you! *shivers with cold*
DeleteThese are all great ideas. I used to have rock salt or something I could spread under my tires but I've kinda slacked off lately. I should re- evaluate.
ReplyDeleteI don't fancy getting stuck in our car in the cold that's for sure! Brrr!
Deletelove your prepping posts! Awesome tips! We got stuck for an hour in the snow last week with the kids. Thank good it was in the neighborhood and three neighbors helped us.
ReplyDeleteI do have a BOB but at home I should have one in the car! I carry in the car: a first aid kit, a compass, lighter, food, blankets, water, flashlights and tools [which can be weapons] but I need to get many items from your list! Especially money! I grew up in a very dangerous city and I'm used to never carry cash with me!
I think you're already doing really well with your car! We don't have credit cards so all our transactions are cash, and we're used to carrying it. Besides, the government can track your movements by credit card...
DeleteThis is a great post! I have never had to experience this situation, but when we lived in NC I kept a few supplies in my trunk in case of emergencies when I had to drive over the mountain to work daily.
ReplyDeleteI can imagine that you would need supplies in case you got stuck in the mountains...I wouldn't fancy being stuck there overnight with nothing!
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