How to Prepare Yourself for Winter Driving

January 9th, 2024 by

Woman Driving in Winter

Preparing your car for frigid winter driving includes making sure your gas tank is full, having food in your vehicle in case of a breakdown, stocking your emergency kit, and making sure everyone has extra blankets in case you become stranded.

But what about preparing you, as a driver, and your passengers?

Read several ways to prepare yourself for winter driving so you can be comfortable while going from Point A to Point B. If the driver isn’t comfortable driving in cold weather, no one will be comfortable! 

Dress in Layers

Even though you warm up your car before starting out in cold weather, always dress in layers. A short drive of 15 minutes or less means you probably won’t take off your outer layers. Longer journeys, like traveling for the holidays, will likely mean you would take off your coat or sweater at some point. If you want to save on gasoline or the charge in your EV, consider dressing in more layers and then turning the heater to a lower setting.

Eat a Snack Beforehand & Pack Snacks

It’s better to eat a light snack before heading out to delay stopping on the road for as long as possible. You probably want to keep driving to get as close to your destination as you can without stopping. Think about a well-balanced snack, like a granola bar with carbs and protein. Consider a sandwich or oatmeal, depending on the time of day. 

Don’t eat too much before you depart. It could reduce the amount of bathroom breaks between your home and the destination. Plus, a big meal can make you sleepy when your body focuses on digestion rather than staying alert for driving.

Have Your Emergency Kit Ready

Double-check your winter emergency kit to make sure it has enough snacks, blankets, extra coats, and water in case you get stranded. Although unlikely, we suggest having your kit ready even if you’re driving for 15 minutes or less. In rural areas, have your emergency kit ready no matter what because you don’t know when help could reach you.

Look Over Your Vehicle

Inspect your vehicle before departing on your winter drive. Start by looking at the tires to see if they are inflated properly. They might look under-inflated in the winter because air contracts in the frigid weather. 

Look under the engine compartment to see if any fluids are leaking. You want to avoid an oil leak or transmission fluid leak when traveling because you don’t want that problem to become a significant issue that leaves you stranded.

Open the hood and look at the battery, drive belt, oil level, transmission fluid level, and windshield wiper fluid. If any fluid levels are low or the fluid is very dirty, consider getting an oil or transmission fluid change as soon as possible.

We recommend changing your windshield wipers every six months at the beginning of the spring or fall. Consider getting new wipers as soon as you can to maintain your visibility at all times.

Know the Weather Conditions Ahead of Time

Look at your favorite weather app to see the weather conditions before you depart. Check the weather forecast for your location and the destination if they are far away. Dress and prepare appropriately for the weather for as long as you’re away from home.

Get Plenty of Sleep the Night Before

Staying alert starts with getting plenty of sleep the night before you drive, especially on long trips for the holidays or visiting relatives. Cold weather can sap your energy quickly and without warning, just like hot weather. A good night’s sleep can mitigate that as you head to work, run errands, or attend a family gathering.

Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate

Take a sip of water every 15 minutes to maintain hydration as you drive. Hydration, like tiredness, might not seem like a big deal in the wintertime because you’re not sweating as much. But hydration is essential in any weather. 

Take Lotion With You for Dry Hands

Driving with gloves obviates the need for lotion to keep your hands feeling great. Lots of handwashing and cold weather can lead to dry, cracked skin on your hands that makes your winter drive uncomfortable. Take a travel-size bottle of hand lotion with you in case your hands start to have dry skin. Don’t wait until they have extreme dryness and cracking. Lotion them up before they feel dry.

Winter Driving Tips From Thompson Sales

We’re proud to offer driving tips to drivers everywhere as part of our commitment to you. Contact us or call 417-763-6811 if you have any questions about driving your vehicle in cold weather. If you need to upgrade your car to something that drives better in winter, we have a wide range of 4WD vehicles for sale on our lot!

Posted in Driving Tips