AAA Texas Urges Drivers to Prepare for Winter Weather with Emergency Kits

SAN ANGELO, TX - The National Weather Service forecasts that parts of North and Central Texas could experience wintry weather and bitter cold temperatures this week.

AAA Texas advises drivers to ensure their vehicles are prepared for these conditions, should travel become necessary. Preventive maintenance is crucial for safe driving and significantly reduces the risk of being stranded in the cold. However, in the event of a breakdown, having a winter emergency kit is essential. Notably, approximately 40% of American drivers reported to AAA that they do not carry such a kit.

It is vital for drivers to have a fully stocked emergency kit tailored for winter conditions. The kit should include the following items:

• Traction aids (sand, salt, non-clumping cat litter or traction mats)
• Shovel
• Flashlight with extra batteries
• Jumper cables or jump pack
• Basic toolkit (screwdrivers, pliers, adjustable wrench, duct tape, plastic zip ties)
• Tarp, raincoat and gloves to help stay clean/dry if you must get out of the vehicle
• Rags, paper towels or pre-moistened wipes
• Warning devices (flares, reflective triangles or LED beacons)
• First-aid kit (check expiration date)
• Drinking water
• Snacks/food for your passengers and any pets
• Ice scraper
• Snow brush
• Winter windshield washer solvent
• Warm gloves, clothes, hats and blankets for all passengers in your car
• Car charger for mobile phone

In addition to an emergency kit, drivers should do the following to protect their vehicle from damage that can occur in winter:

• Wash and wax your vehicle to prevent rust damage. Throughout the winter, frequently wash your vehicle, paying particular attention to the undercarriage. This will loosen, dissolve and neutralize de-icing solutions. Always use a high-quality car wash solution, not a household dish detergent that will strip the wax from your vehicle.
• Check your windshield wipers and washers. Wiper blades should completely clear rain or snow from your windshield with each swipe. Replace blades that leave streaks or miss spots. For the winter months, purchase one-piece beam-type or rubber-clad winter blades to fight snow and ice buildup. In cold climates, be sure to fill the windshield washer reservoir with a cleaning solution that will not freeze when the temperatures drop.

• Inspect tires to ensure drivability on winter roads. Make sure tires have adequate tread depth – at least 4/32” – as worn tires can affect a driver’s ability to stop in slick conditions. An easy way to check for wear is by inserting an upside down quarter into your tread groove. If the top of Washington's head is exposed, the tread depth is less than 4/32" and it’s time to replace your tires. Also, check that your car has a spare tire and keep it properly inflated in case you need it.

• Make sure your battery and charging system are up to par. A fully charged battery in good condition is required to start an engine in cold weather. Have your battery and charging system checked for optimum performance – particularly if your battery is more than three years old. Also, clean any corrosion from battery posts and cable connections; wipe away dirt and oil deposits on the case and make sure all hardware is secure.

Additional Winter Driving Safety Tips from AAA Texas:

• Use your seat belt every time you get in the vehicle.
• Never warm up a vehicle in an enclosed area, such as a garage. In fact, modern vehicles do not require idle time prior to driving.
• Make sure the exhaust pipe isn’t clogged with snow, ice or mud. A blocked exhaust could cause deadly carbon monoxide gas to leak into the passenger compartment with the engine running.
• Never leave your vehicle unattended with the engine running.
• Keep your gas tank at least half full to avoid gas line freeze-up.

Additional information on driving in winter conditions can be found at How to Go on Ice and Snow.

Preparing a vehicle for driving in winter weather

• To see clearly during winter weather, clean the outside and inside of the windshield before traveling.
• Keep vehicle’s windshield and rear-window defrosters in good working condition.
• Replace worn windshield wiper blades if they cause streaking. Change wiper blades every six months, especially before driving in bad weather.
• Clear all snow and ice from vehicles before driving. This will increase driver’s visibility and prevent drivers of other vehicles from being blinded by snow blowing off your vehicle.
• Use an ice scraper to remove snow and ice from the windshield and all windows, including side and rear windows. This will improve the driver’s ability to see nearby vehicles.

Good Tires are Essential In Winter Weather

AAA Texas and Discount Tire have teamed up to remind drivers about the importance of well-maintained tires, which are critical to maintain traction on wet roads:

• Inflate tires to the correct pressure when tires are cool and haven’t recently been driven on. Check the tire pressure often, at least once per month. Low tire pressure results in poor handling and braking, reduced gas mileage, and excessive wear.
• Check the tread depth. A tire’s ability to stop within a safe distance becomes compromised when its tread depth reaches 4/32 inch. An easy way to determine if a tire is worn out is to place an upside-down quarter (not a penny) in a tire tread. If you can see the top of Washington’s head, it’s time to replace the tire. Check your tire’s tread periodically for uneven wear patterns and replace tires if necessary.
• Rotate your tires regularly.
• Know the age of your tires.  As a tire ages, its rubber becomes hard and brittle, losing elasticity and strength. Therefore, the older a tire, the higher the risk for failure. AAA Texas recommends replacing any tire that’s six years old or older.

 Driving In Winter Conditions

• Turn on headlights to increase visibility.
• Reduce speed and leave plenty of room to stop. Drivers should allow at least three times more space than usual between their vehicle and vehicles in front of them.
• Brake gently to avoid skidding. Even careful and experienced drivers can skid on slippery surfaces.  When a vehicle begins to skid, it’s important not to panic, avoid slamming on the brakes, and continue to look and steer in the direction you want the vehicle to go.
• Do not use cruise control on any wet, snow-covered or icy roads.
• Be especially aware of possible icy spots on bridges and overpasses, which freeze sooner than roads. And, even at temperatures above freezing, if conditions are wet, drivers may encounter ice in shady areas.
• Be careful on infrequently traveled and rural roads, which may not be cleared as often as other roads.

Leaving the roadway

• If pulling off the road is necessary, drivers should wait for a safe opportunity.
• It is best to pull into a rest area or parking lot, rather than on the road’s shoulder.
• Remember, Texas has a Slow Down Move Over Law which requires drivers to vacate the lane closest to an emergency vehicle or tow truck with lights flashing. If they are unable to safely move out of the lane then they must slow down 20 miles per hour below the posted speed limit.

Additional Winter Driving Safety Tips from AAA Texas:

• Use your seat belt every time you get in the vehicle.
• Never warm up a vehicle in an enclosed area, such as a garage. In fact, modern vehicles do not require idle time prior to driving.
• Make sure the exhaust pipe isn’t clogged with snow, ice or mud. A blocked exhaust could cause deadly carbon monoxide gas to leak into the passenger compartment with the engine running.
• Never leave your vehicle unattended with the engine running.
• Keep your gas tank at least half full to avoid gas line freeze-up.

Additional information on driving in winter conditions can be found at How to Go on Ice and Snow.