Driving in Winter  

Yes I'm so ready for winter driving. Although I'm no redneck with some four wheel drive beast of a truck I do have my all wheel drive toys which are a total blast if driven right.

Oh wow! I couldn't fit all that stuff in my trunk!

I'll make sure I have warm clothes, not likely I wouldn't in a canadian winter..

Then I'll try calling gm roadside assistance and if my phone won't work I can always press my onstar button.

I think we Canadians are used to snow and lots of it. A big snowstorm here is no excuse for missing work, lol.

The first few snowy days, there tend to be accidents caused by people who are too dumb to slow down, especially around corners!.

The time of day I go to work, the salters are all over the highway, which is my favoite route to work.. jump on, go really fast, jump off 2 exits later. Of course in winter, it's get on, follow a salter at 25 km/h and then get off...

When I had my old rear wheel drive, and I mean it was a 77, it was old! I used to carry uncle larry in the trunk.. sometimes the roads were glare ice and doggone rear wheel drive can get pretty bad. I'd just sprinkle Uncle larry under the tires.

(Just so you know, dad gave me Uncle Larry.. I;m not sure what kind of log he came from.)

You are very thorough, and people would do good to listen. Another tip that is given here in Kansas is to have a metal coffee can, candles and matches or lighter. Vent the window a little, use a candle in the coffee can to be a little warmer. This is what I do with my old dusty candles, I put them in my emergency kit. My aunt would drive up to OKC area from southeast Oklahoma, and would tell me how worried she was about the weather, when I suggested some of these safety precautions, she asked if I did them, and I said "Yes", then she laughed at me, for being such a goody two shoes girl scout type. Another tip, from a lady who drove truck, was to have a coffee can to use as a toilet. Can be lined with a plastic bag. I hope we all have a safe winter. Good discussion. I also pay about $2.50 every six months on my car insurance for emergency road services. They will jump start me, tow me, or shovel me out. That is they will pay for these services. I have used this service many times over. It has in fact paid off for my insurance many times.

I HAVE walked for help in blizzards (for miles and without winter clothing in surprise storms), but I am a tough girl so it was not a problem.
I am married to a mechanic who drives a plow truck in winter, I have a four wheel drive vehicle, and I have spent my entire life in the American Northeast, so yes, I am prepared for winter (even if it came in July).
I also have always preferred foul weather over fair for some reason, and I am a New Yorker which means I am pretty much prepared for anything. LOL

That was some great advice for a guy who hasn't lived in snowy areas too much! The good thing is this: I live in North Carolina and we really don't get that much snow in the winter, even in the mountains any more. The bad news is that we tend to get a lot of ice, not just snow, which is treacherous no matter how good your tires are and how careful you are. But the mountains here are SO beautiful. Just take care and listen to those weather reports.

Oh I leave the winter driving to my boyfriend. I dont care much for driving in the snow but we are ready for anything that happens, our Jeep is ready for any kind of weather and has been in a few mud holes and back out. And where we live at we always have cell phone contact with anyone. It is great that you are giving these tips to everyone I know that there are some people that dont even think about things like this but I also have a redneck at home and his wheels in his head are always turning too. Hugs!

I hate driving in the snow
I already do most of those things that you mentioned
I keep an economy size bag of cat litter in the back of the van
I also keep blankets and snacks and water
Good thing I have never been caught in a bad snow storm because I wouldnt have even thought about the exhaust pipe

This is a helpful discussion. I would like to clarify one thing, for people who may not know....the cat litter is NOT the scoopable kind. It is the regular kind. Scoopable will do no good whatsoever.

Also, let someone know when you left and when you should be back. Then, hopefully, you won't be stuck for many hours because no one knows you're gone. A friend, family member, co-worker...someone.

Before you might need them, learn how to use the flares. I would be stuck, because I have no idea how to start a flare.

Make sure you check your fluid levels regularly. The heater won't work like you need it to if your antifreeze/water level is low. If your oil level is so low that your engine seizes, then you will REALLY be in a jam.

I know the cat litter works on ice. There have been many times I'd be just spinning my wheels and not moving 'til I added traction (litter).

Since the truck I was driving had a closed bed, I kept the 20lb. bag of cat litter and a bale of straw back there for extra weight.

We have a 2/4 wheel drive vehicle and are in a snow belt area. We always are prepared as you mentioned above because this stuff happens even if you're just on a short drive. The roads get very slick fast especially at night and many people have no idea how to drive in snow, which causes people who do to end up swerving or ending up in a bad situation.

We're ready. We have lived in Central/Upstate NY all our lives and have driven through the worst storms. Still, every year when we have the first big snowfall, even people who have lived here forever act like they never saw snow before.

We have been lucky so far. No accidents or mishaps except for the occasional slide/donut stuff. The 4 wheel drive really, really helps in snow.

Here are a few other tips for winter driving. One of the things that I carry when driving in the snow belt is to carry several three to four feet long pieces of indoor/outdoor carpet. The reason for these is to help get traction in the snow, so you can get out of whatever it was you got into, hopefully. The other tip I have for everyone is designed to help you STAY OUT OF TROUBLE. The biggest problem with driving during a snow storm is BEING ABLE TO SEE. What I have found is to keep a pair of SUNGLASSES in every vehicle, for just this eventuality. Sunglasses will cut down on the glare, so you can see as well as is possible. Good luck.