How to Prepare for a Winter Road Trip

How to Prepare for a Winter Road Trip
Winter road trip can be exciting, but if you are not ready, you can get more enthusiasm than expected. If you route through the areas with cold temperatures and snowy mountains, make sure that you and your vehicle is ready. Here you have some winter travel tips.
Get ready to drive in winter by taking your car to the shop for a checkup. Ask the technician for your car brakes, lights, oil, tires, exhaust, heater and defog control.
Let me try your battery, especially if the battery is old for over three years. Auto repair shops usually perform this test for free if you do not have your own battery tester. Clean the corrosion of the links and entrances.
Check the belts and hoses for wear on your vehicle. Replace all belts and hoses that have used air.
The oil has been changed in your vehicle. Read the manual of your car or ask your mechanic to use the best type of oil for a trip on the winter road, while cold temperatures will cause the oil to thicken.
Check the antifreeze level on the radiator. Use a water mixture and half the antifreeze half, which will prevent your radiator from freezing, even at very cold temperatures. The antifreeze is easy to test using an inexpensive antifreeze tester that can be purchased at hardware stores or auto parts. An antifreeze tester is a small plastic device at your antifreeze level and determine the engine's conditions.
Replace worn brushes such as worn blades reduces visibility in case of rain or snow
Check the windshield wiper fluid. If traveling in cold weather, use a liquid that is rated to a minimum of -40 ° F (-40 ° C). Maintain an additional fluid reservoir in the trunk.
Inspect tires and replace worn. Check your tires frequently during your trip as the tire pressure decreases in cold, low temperatures can be dangerous, especially on slippery roads. If you are going to drive in the snow, using snow tires provide better tracking and improvement of the vehicle's braking system in the same glide.
Carry a survival kit during the winter that an ice scraper, shovel, sand or cat litter, flares, first aid kit, fire extinguisher, containing small tool kit, candle, matches, tin, Jumper cables, tow rope, flashlight with spare batteries, shoes and extra socks, extra gloves, a change of warm clothes, paper towels, cover and tool box at least one jug of water and additional food such as granola bars.
Plan your route in advance, using updated maps is one of the important winter travel tips. Use the main roads to be plowed or sanded most likely to be in bad weather. Let at least one friend or relative know your route, destination and estimated time of arrival.
Check the road conditions and weather on the planned route and the necessary adjustments, such as changing the route or going earlier or later in the day. If possible, avoid driving at night in bad weather.
Pack a bunch of snacks in case you are unable to stop for meals. Include CDs or books on tape. If you travel with children, pack some games to avoid boredom.
Get ready for winter emergencies. Carrying a car charger for your mobile phone as the mobile phone of your line can be life when your car breaks down or gets lost or stuck in the snow. Program your phone with important numbers, such as emergency road service or weather or traffic report