winter prep

[David Cullen]

So what preparations do people do for winter driving? What do you carry extra or do for the bad weather?
I have put winter tyres on for starters, got windscreen cover, de-icer, scraper and jump leads, for other people lol
Anyone think of anything else I should have?

 

[oldcarman]

Heated seats and most important that your coolant is sufficient past the lowest degrees of temp you anticipate. Make sure your rad cap is working properly and don't let your overflow bottle drop too low or you'll lose heat in your cab. Carry a blanket, matches and nutrition bars or pemmican and bannock if you can get it. Warm clothing, gloves etc keep your cell phone charged fully, dog food for the huskies, bear spray, tinned goods, plenty of water( not beer) deer whistles, watch for caribou and moose and loose pigs on the road. Keep your gas above 1/2 full or better to prevent condensation and add gas line fluid. Don't forget your rifle and proper ammo, bow and arrows, big sharp knife, axe, leather and strapping in case the huskies cut their paws on the ice.

 

[David Cullen]

Dam it, I left out the bear spray...
You use chains Jim?

 

[oldcarman]

Dam it, I left out the bear spray...
You use chains Jim?

No, there aren't any mountains close to me! And I forgot seal or whale oil lamps. You'll be hunting anyway so you just need a pot and fire to render the blubber to oil. Sinew and tendons can be used for making snow shoes so make sure you know your ash from the other trees. I could keep on but I don't think you have time to build a kayak but would recommend learning about quinzies and igloos. And if someone visits overnight you must offer your wife for them to sleep with for warmth. If no wife then mother sister brother or two dogs.

 

[GazHyde]

No issues with bears where I live so I just normally go with...

• Spare warm clothing or fleece blanket
• my incredibly stupid looking fur lined hat
• pack of bottled energy drinks (the bottles are dual use in case you get caught short in traffic )
• several packs of biscuits or chocolate bars
• always keep the car topped off with more fuel than usual

That's about it. I keep meaning to get a set of snow socks for the rear wheels for extra traction but never quite get round to it.

 

[David Cullen]

Well one tip if you get stuck, use your floor mats, they can work if your not badly stuck ;-)

 

[GazHyde]

Well one tip if you get stuck, use your floor mats, they can work if your not badly stuck ;-)

That's a top tip, never thought of that...

 

[hard top]

Well, get some rubber over mats in the car as you will not want to use your OEM ones I would have thought.......

 

[Dino D]

All of the above plus:

A lighter, progressive right foot.

Healthy dislike for the inside lane with truck wheel ruts on cold mornings!

Driving gloves (if you have a metal gearknob till know why).

No hardtop so you can get the roof off when it's clear.