
Winter tires. This
probably sounds obvious to most of you, however, there is a
misconception that many have accepted, around the idea of all season
tires being suitable in all conditions. This is not actually the
case, despite their name. Just as so-called all season clothing is
never suited to the absolute extremes of the summer and winter
seasons, so to do all season tires have their limits—and they don't
meet the limits of winters in Alberta. At temperatures any lower than
seven degrees, all season tires become much less effective in
traction. It's important to get your winter tires on as soon as the
season starts (or even right before, to be really safe).
Ice scraper/snow brush. Never
underestimate the importance of cleaning your car before you head
out. All too often, drivers are overconfident in their “ability”
to drive a vehicle laden with ice and snow. This is not only
dangerous in terms of your own visibility, but also in the risk your
vehicle poses to other drivers when chunks of snow and ice blow off
of it into the trajectory of other vehicles. This will lead to
unnecessary insurance claims, and damage and injury that could have
been very easily prevented.
Washer fluid with antifreeze.
If you've ever spent a good portion of your time scraping the ice off
of your car, only to have it immediately frost over as soon as you
get in to drive (more likely to happen in areas with high humidity)
then you know the value of washer fluid with antifreeze. While
driving around with unnecessary cargo in your trunk can create a
heavy vehicle, thereby consuming more gas than necessary, having an
extra bit of washer fluid with you shouldn't affect the weight so
dramatically, and is worth the peace of mind of having it when you
run out. This is especially true if your drives tend to be on the
longer side.
Warm blanket. You should
always be prepared for the worst, and being stranded in cold,
blizzard conditions ranks among those situations we consider to be
“the worst.” A good warm blanket will minimize the discomfort and
even danger of overexposure to cold temperatures should you find
yourself stranded. This in turn will help you to continue making
smart, safe decisions.
Car lock deicer. This
gadget can be as simple or as high-tech as you want it to be. How do
you decide what system is right for you? Try to borrow one from a
friend to see how it does. Once you find a tool that works for you,
stick with it. A car lock deicer isn't just a fancy extra—knowing
that you'll have access to your car one way or another will prevent
you from the dangerous practice of leaving your car unlocked
overnight, just so that you don't get locked out. A gadget that
minimizes your exposure to the risks of theft is one worth having.
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