PSA: Necessities for Winter Driving

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shimsham

Lifer
May 9, 2002
10,765
0
0
Originally posted by: loki8481
just out of curiosity, what are tire chains?

I picked up a nylon sheet to go over my windshield when I was at target the other day. I'm hoping that it will help me out with having to scrap off less ice from the window.


tire chains. help with traction.

edit:female not included.
 

Insane3D

Elite Member
May 24, 2000
19,446
0
0
Originally posted by: loki8481
just out of curiosity, what are tire chains?

I picked up a nylon sheet to go over my windshield when I was at target the other day. I'm hoping that it will help me out with having to scrap off less ice from the window.

Tire chains are just what they sound like. They are a chainlink setup that goes over your tires to give you better traction in snow and ice.
 

Iron Woode

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Oct 10, 1999
31,002
12,544
136
Originally posted by: loki8481
just out of curiosity, what are tire chains?

I picked up a nylon sheet to go over my windshield when I was at target the other day. I'm hoping that it will help me out with having to scrap off less ice from the window.
Tire chains are old school get the best traction you can without buying studded snow tires, option.

They are ment for very snowy areas.
 

Insane3D

Elite Member
May 24, 2000
19,446
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Originally posted by: Iron Woode
Originally posted by: Insane3D
That's a good list, but is really more for people who do lots of travelling in bad weather, and are in areas where big storms are common. I get plenty of snow here in NH, but I'm right on the highway, only have a ~15 minute drive to work, and I don't live out in the middle of nowhere.

Imo of course...
I sure this list will help someone somewhere.

Very true....

Ever notice though, you hear less and less stories of people being trapped in their cars in snowstorms? It seems like the places that get the snow, can usually keep the roads in fairly good condition. Of course, if you are driving through the wide open country in a huge storm, you could get easily stranded for a long period of time.
 

Iron Woode

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Oct 10, 1999
31,002
12,544
136
Originally posted by: Insane3D
Originally posted by: Iron Woode
Originally posted by: Insane3D
That's a good list, but is really more for people who do lots of travelling in bad weather, and are in areas where big storms are common. I get plenty of snow here in NH, but I'm right on the highway, only have a ~15 minute drive to work, and I don't live out in the middle of nowhere.

Imo of course...
I sure this list will help someone somewhere.

Very true....

Ever notice though, you hear less and less stories of people being trapped in their cars in snowstorms? It seems like the places that get the snow, can usually keep the roads in fairly good condition. Of course, if you are driving through the wide open country in a huge storm, you could get easily stranded for a long period of time.
Or maybe they are too embarrassed to tell any body about it?

Stuff does happen though. I live in London Ontario and last thursday we had a number of stranded motorists.
 

Insane3D

Elite Member
May 24, 2000
19,446
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0
Oh, I'm not saying it doesn't happen, just less frequently than it used to with modern road crews. I'm referring more to industrialized areas too. I've never been to Canada, but I'm sure it's much more common up there.

 

jagec

Lifer
Apr 30, 2004
24,442
6
81
Originally posted by: DrPizza
There are areas that require tire chains...

yeah, which can be pretty lame.

A few days ago I was headed south to SF. Around the Shasta Lake area, they required snow chains, and backed up traffic for four hours to check for them.

Well guess what...SO MANY CARS WERE ON THE ROAD, THERE WASN'T ROOM FOR SNOW TO FALL!! Snow chains were CERTAINLY not required.
 

JonnyStarks

Golden Member
Nov 28, 2003
1,682
0
0
I've heard that candles are a good thing to have just in case you have to wait a long time in the cold for a tow-truck/boost/whatever.

Don't know if it's a good idea, but apparently they give off a bunch of heat and they're much better to use then running your heater for warmth?

I think it was for cars anyways
 

Iron Woode

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Oct 10, 1999
31,002
12,544
136
Originally posted by: JonnyStarks
I've heard that candles are a good thing to have just in case you have to wait a long time in the cold for a tow-truck/boost/whatever.

Don't know if it's a good idea, but apparently they give off a bunch of heat and they're much better to use then running your heater for warmth?

I think it was for cars anyways
The fire hazzard bothers me.
 

Iron Woode

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Oct 10, 1999
31,002
12,544
136
Originally posted by: DrPizza
There are areas that require tire chains...
I prefer studded snow tires.

I just wish they were legal here.
 

GeekDrew

Diamond Member
Jun 7, 2000
9,099
19
81
When I'm travelling more than... oh.... 100 miles away, I check to make sure I've got several things with me (on your list, largely):

* road flares / warning triangles
* maglight
* toolbox w/ misc tools, spare maglight batteries, etc
* at least one blanket
* at least one full change of clothes
* emergency roadside kit (has assorted things you supposedly need in case of emergency)
* emergency medical kit (has assorted over-the-counter medications, bandages, gauze pads, etc)
* a map of where I plan to be
* jumper cables
* ice scraper
* cell phone
* spare tire
* AAA/CAA Membership
* magazines or books to keep you occupied

I always fill my fuel tank at the nearest point to my origin location, and while I'm there, I grab some food of some kind... jerky, whatever, it works. I also grab a few Gatorades. I keep the drinks I want cold in the back seat floor (no heat), and the drinks I want warm (preservation for safety) on the front passenger floor, with the blanket.

I also have a CB in my car... I like to use it when I'm on the freeway, etc... and while it's not nearly as popular as it used to be, there are still some people that use them in base locations.

On a recent road trip thru the midwest, I was stuck on the freeway, near the Indiana-Ohio border for a few hours... we eventually started to creep along. At one point, a trucker got on the air, said that he needed emergency assistance. Apparently his truck had broken down on a road parallel to the interstate earlier in the day. He had called for help, but they never showed up... his cell batteries had since died, and he had fallen asleep. His cab was cold, because the engine wouldn't run (to warm the cab)... he sounded very cold & weak. Before I could even acknowledge his transmission, another trucker said that they had the state patrol on the cell phone, and they needed his location. About five minutes later, a patrolman acknowledged the emergency on the air, and we saw a cruiser heading that way...

All of that said... it's just a checklist I mentally follow before I go anywhere very far, especially if the territory is hazardous or unfamiliar. It's like second nature to make sure it's all there. It's also a good habit to make sure that all of your belts, fluids, etc., are in optimal condition before you leave. Getting 100 miles into the middle of nowhere is not a good time to learn that your serpentine belt just broke, and that your oil needed changed 3000 miles ago.

I used to have a boost pack in the back of my SUV... I just never bought another one for my car, though I know I should (I got rid of the old one). Depends on the destination and current conditions as to whether I carry a shovel & sand or kitty litter.
 

Intelman34

Member
Jan 24, 2003
134
1
81
Windshiled Washer Fluid
Snow Brush/Ice Scraper Combo
PowerService Diesel 9-1-1 if you have a diesel
Gloves/Hat/Blanket

Thats all I have ever needed.

The most important thing is common sense....
 

PeeluckyDuckee

Diamond Member
Feb 21, 2001
4,464
0
0
Don't forget a tow hook line as well. Good for those situations when you're stuck and a car nearby can drag you out of your mess.
 
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