It’s that time of year again. The leaves are falling, the days are getting shorter, and winter is lurking around the corner. Winter is a time for snow, hot drinks and cosy fires. It’s also the perfect excuse to take a road trip full of adventure.
Whether you’re looking for adventure or just want to escape from reality during this winter, here are some precautions you should take.
Extend Your Car’s Mileage Warranty
If you’re planning on driving in the winter, then your car needs to be prepared too. Ensure that you extend your car’s mileage warranty before you set off on your journey so that you can rest assured knowing that any damages will be covered. There are so many companies that offer extended warranty for cars over 100k miles.
Plan Your Route
Before you set off on your road trip, it’s important to plan your route. Ensure you know where you’re going and how long it will take to get there. This is especially important if you’re travelling in the winter. Blizzards and icy roads can make travelling difficult, so it’s important to be prepared.
You might also want to think about having multiple routes if your route is affected by blizzards.
Pack for the Weather
The weather can change quickly during winter, so you must pack the right items before leaving. Ensure that you have all the equipment necessary to keep you warm and safe in severe snow conditions. Here is a list of essentials that you should pack:
• Snow chains for your tyres
• Ice scraper and broom
• Snow shovel
• Kitty litter
• sand or salt to give your tyres some grip on icy roads
• Bottles of water and non-perishable food items in the car trunk in case you get stranded
Winter tyres are an absolute must if you have a car with ABS. There is nothing worse than being stuck in the snow and not having any traction. Make sure that your car’s battery is also as good as it can be, as this makes a big difference when starting up your engine in cold conditions or if you’ve been stuck in the snow.
Drive Slowly
Driving too quickly can cause ice to build upon your windscreen and tyres, which could lead to you skidding off the road. Even if it’s not icy, there might be patches of black ice where water has frozen on the tarmac, so drive slowly and be vigilant.
Beware of Black Ice
Black ice is a thin layer of ice that can form on the surface of the road without you being able to see it. It’s often hard to spot, and it can cause you to skid off the road if you’re not careful. If you come across black ice, don’t brake suddenly and try to steer into the skid.
Take Regular Breaks
Even if you’re not travelling a long distance, it’s important to take regular breaks while driving in the winter. This will help keep you alert and reduce the risk of getting into an accident. If you’re travelling with children, you should take more frequent breaks.
Check Local Weather Before Travelling
It’s important to check the weather conditions on your route before you start your journey. You can do this by checking out reputable websites that provide updates every hour on the status of roads. Blizzards and heavy snowfall can cause roads to close unexpectedly, so it’s important to be aware of the conditions before you set off.
Conclusion
Winter is wonderful for some, but not so much for others. However, it doesn’t mean that you should let the cold weather affect your adventurous spirit or stop you from taking a road trip. These precautions will ensure that your winter road trip goes smoothly and safely.