Five Things You Need to Do to Prep Your Car for Winter

Winter commutes are uncomfortable, but they can also be dangerous if you don't prepare. From using the right tires to having emergency gear for being stranded, here are some things you can do to prep your car for winter.

Grab a Set of Winter Tires

Most of us fear losing control of our car while driving during the winter. The video above from Auto Express presents a real world comparison of winter and summer tires. Winter tires are built with a rubber compound that stays pliable in cold weather, which causes enhanced traction. The video shows that you'll have better control should you need to stop or maneuver quickly to avoid an accident. Summer tires, on the other hand, take far longer to stop, and often skid during a quick maneuver. Unlike winter tires, summer tires are made from a harder, more durable rubber, so they last longer. However, winter tires are safer in snowy weather. Whether you have two-wheel or all-wheel drive, the first thing you should do to be safe is grab a set of winter tires for your car.

Test Your Battery (and Have a Good Contingency Plan)

Extremely cold weather can make a good battery slow to start, and kill a bad battery. The last thing you want to do in the cold is jump your car, so get your battery tested and charged at your closest auto shop. The video above from ChrisFix shows you how to test your battery yourself. Just grab a multimeter, hook it up to your battery, and check that the voltage is above 10 when the car cranks, and above 12 when the car is running. If you find that your battery is going bad or having trouble holding a charge, go ahead and replace it.

Waiting for AAA or a friend to come save you from being stranded is awful, so it's good to have a contingency plan. Having jumper cables in hopes that a good Samaritan will be close by is one thing, but having an automatic jump starter like this Stanley 1000 Amp model is better. It will set you back $75, but you wont need another car to jump start yours, which makes you completely self-sufficient should your battery die this winter. It also has USB input, which you'll need it if your phone is your lifeline and you're stranded with a car that won't crank.

Build a Car Emergency Kit

If you do get stranded, you'll be happy that you packed an emergency kit to keep in the trunk of your car.

Your emergency kit should have everything you think you might need, but here's a starter list:

 * A blanket, or an electric blanket.
* An extra USB cord to plug in your phone or device should you need to charge it.
* Gloves, snow boots, and a heavy coat just in case you need to do some work out in the cold and snow.
* Thermal underwear to layer up if you're stranded for a long time.Extra food and water.
* Snack bars are good for this, but anything non perishable that you won't have to heat up is a good option. * A flashlight with extra batteries.
* A tow rope in case someone wants to pull your car out of where it's stuck, but isn't prepared.Backup jumper cables in case your jump starter is dead when you need it.

Depending on your personal preferences or worries, you might want to pack even more stuff, like a complete change of clothes or an electronic portable cup warmer so heat up soup or some hot chocolate. Make a list of things you know you'll want and need during an emergency, and pack the emergency bag accordingly.

Have a Snow Shovel and Extra Floor Mats for When Your Car Gets Stuck

You'll likely get stuck if your area gets a lot of snow this winter. Be prepared with a shovel and some old extra floor mats.

When the time comes, here's what to do:

1. If the snow is high around the car, like in a freshly plowed residential neighborhood, dig a path for the car to get to the cleared pavement. Also dig a small space around the car to give it room to move, and give yourself room to get in and out.

Find out if your car is a front or rear wheel drive, and dig the snow from under those two tires to the best of your ability. It helps to clear some space around the other two tires, but it's more important to make sure your power tires have as much clearance as possible.

Tip: your car is most likely FWD if it's not an SUV or truck.Sometimes you can drive out after the first two steps, but other times you have ice to consider. If your car is stuck on ice, wedge the floor mats under the front halves of all four tires. If you only have two floor mats, put them under your power tires. This will cover the ice and give the tires something to grip. Drive out slowly. If you're driving a stick shift, use 2nd gear for better traction and control. In an automatic just put the car in "Drive" like normal.When you go back to park your car, make sure you park with your power wheels (FWD would be front wheels) closest to the clear road. It's easier to have those wheels pull the rest of your car out rather than push it. Otherwise you might have to dig it out of several spots on the way to the road.

There are other ways to get your car out, but this one has been the most consistent for me over the years. If you're so stuck you can't get it out on your own, see if someone will help push while you drive, or use the tow ropes in your emergency kit and ask someone to pull your car out with theirs.

Consider a Roadside Assistance Membership

If you live in an area that gets a lot of snow and ice during the winter, having roadside assistance like AAA or Better World Club really helps. You might find yourself in a situation that you can't get out of, and no one in close reach to call. See if your dealership or job has an affordable roadside assistance package, or sign up for a AAA membership. It helps to feel secure that you're never completely on your own, just in case.