Yesterday, we received our first good snowfall. Anywhere from 6” to 12” of the white stuff around the region. It wasn’t a surprise. Everybody was talking about it like we don’t have snow in the northeast. And the news? Well, you would have thought it was the second coming of the Blizzard of 1978!
My favorite part about that overindulgence in the “spectacular” is that it keeps people off the roads!
A friend of mine, a former State Trooper, posted this. Today starts The Annual Meeting of the Summer Tire, and “but Trooper, I have 4×4 Drive, and I was only doing the Speed Limit” Club!!
There are definitely challenges to this season of snow. As my kids will tell you…”4WD is not 4-wheel stop!” And in snowy weather, you need to stop, steer, and accelerate, but don’t do it all at the same time!
Preparing for this kind of weather is essential. It’s about being prepared for the worst, avoiding breakdowns, and having peace of mind.
My State Trooper friend talked about tires. Yep!
What do your tires look like? I run All-Season, but many people run the more aggressive snow tires. I have not had a set of snow tires on a rig since I moved off my mountain home some 10-plus years ago. (And I ordered them through a small local business, Alternative Detailing. Great prices for any brands and road hazard options. (Tell them we sent you!)
Regardless of the tires you run, make sure you check tire pressure regularly. Most new cars have an alarm system, but because cold weather lowers tire pressure, it is important to periodically check.
Even though our state, New Hampshire, plans to move away from the inspection system, unless you can take care of your car, I recommend either getting under your car yourself or taking advantage of the many folks offering free inspections.
Here in the Northeast, there are serious concerns about making sure batteries are up to date, as they will lose power in cold temperatures, as well as making sure they are clean of corrosion and that connections are tight.
Also, make sure your coolant is at the correct level and well mixed to prevent freezing. And the windshield washer fluid needs to be the kind that won’t freeze in sub-zero temperatures.
And this is a great time to make sure your windshield wiper blades are in good condition, as well as keeping an ice scraper or brush in your car.
I have three girls, and they often choose fashion over freezing! I taught them to make sure they had a kit with a blanket, jumper cables, a flashlight, a first-aid kit, and perhaps even a snack or two. When we lived on the top of the mountain, I encouraged them to look at a small shovel and something like sand for traction. (Only one of my girls ever really needed it!)
I will add this thought.
Finally, let’s review the driving. If you are not “good” on snow, go practice somewhere. Maybe your town can freeze a parking lot or something.
As we approach the holidays and winter weather, I want you to be safe so that you can be ready for those spring car shows!
