It’s almost winter and you’ve probably stocked your home with all the winter must-haves. At the same time, it is crucial to stock up your vehicle with essentials for the coming winter months. To ensure your safety and restore your car’s functionality in case of emergency.
Here are some winter essentials that you must consider installing in your car.
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Portable Phone Charger or Power Bank
It’s always during the most unfortunate times that your mobile phone battery is at the brink of running out of juice. To prevent this from happening, it is best to purchase a separate mobile phone charger in your car. An additional precautionary measure is to purchase a power bank and charge it regularly to ensure that you have a spare source of power should your car batteries break down in the middle of the road.
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Ice Scraper
When you park outside in the cold, you risk returning to a car that is frosted all over with a frustrating layer of ice. To remedy this problem immediately, experts recommend keeping an ice scraper outfitted with a long handle in your trunk. This simple tool will help you in clearing ice off your mirrors, lights, and windows before driving off to your destination.
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Shovel
It’s truly frustrating when you end up getting stuck in a mud puddle or snow pile during winter. The good news is that you don’t need to call emergency roadside assistance to remove your car from such a predicament. Put a handy shove at your car trunk, so you can easily dig out mud, soil, or snow around the tyres. You may also use the shovel to add fresh snow or dirt to the mix to enhance your tyre’s grip and overall performance. If you have a small car, fitting a full-sized shovel can be challenging. You can however purchase a compact, foldable shovel that takes up minimal space in your vehicle’s trunk.
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Bag of Sand or Kitty Litter
Keeping a small bag of sand or kitty litter in your trunk carries a couple of benefits. The weight that it adds to your car can aid your rear-wheels to gain adequate traction on slippery roads during heavy downpour or winter season. You may also use sand or kitty litter to assist you in getting out of ice, slush or snow. Sand provides that additional grit and traction to get your car’s tyres moving again. If you don’t have sand or kitty litter stored in your trunk, you may also use your car mat to help you slither out of a sticky situation.
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LED Flashers and Hazard Triangles
LED flashers and hazard triangles help in two ways. It gives approaching cars a warning that you are in the middle or side of the road, thus helping them get into a collision with your vehicle. These safety tools are also crucial as it helps emergency roadside assistance to spot your car if you are on a highway. In less than clear conditions, such as during winter or rainy months, these items are indispensable in keeping your car safe and a form of identification, ensuring you get the emergency service that you need.
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Flashlight
Just like LED flashers, a flashlight is a helpful tool to let other motorists know you’re ahead right ahead. If your car stalls in the middle of the night and you need to get your tools in the trunk, a flashlight will be extra handy in finding the things you need easily. It’s also an invaluable tool when you need to check or work on something under the hood in the middle of the night.
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Blankets and Extra-Cold Weather Clothes
If you drive from garage-to-garage during the colder months, chances are you might not be dressed for the elements. In an emergency, getting caught without the right clothes can make it more challenging to deal with a flat tyre or getting stuck in the mud or snow. To ensure that you are comfortable and safe even when your car battery has died, it’s recommended to keep a few blankets and winter clothes in your trunk. To prevent hypothermia, you must have a set of sweatshirts, jackets, warm socks, and boots on hand. If you do not have enough space for extra fluffy blankets in your trunk, you may also opt for a compact reflective blanket. Lastly, make sure to place a pair of mittens and a warm hat in your glove compartment to ensure that you are ready to brave the extreme cold wherever you go.
For more tips on how you can keep safe on the road during winter, you must obtain the services of the professional auto mechanics at HP Automotive. Seeking a comprehensive maintenance check or fixing minor issues before the onset of winter can greatly reduce your chances of encountering problems on the road. To schedule an appointment, call the HP Automotive direct line on 02 9979 8372 today.