Winter is here, and you need to prepare for your next road trip. Many people drive across the country for Christmas and New Year. It’s cold, icy and sometimes, even snowy. It can be dangerous on the roads, especially when there’s snow and black ice. You need to make some changes to your car and driving style in the winter season.

Here are a few ways you can prepare for your winter road trip. 

Prepare your car

 Freshen up your wiper blades and make sure your wiper fluid can handle freezing conditions. You can usually find winter wiper fluid at your local garage. You also need to check your tire pressure and fill it with air if needed. Double-check the treat on your tires and change to special winter tires if you live in a remote area. You need as much traction as possible on the icy roads. 

Check your power steering, coolant, brake and engine oil before setting off on the journey. Make sure the internal temperature control is working as well. Finally, cars can sometimes struggle to start in the winter. You need to make sure your car battery is operating properly before you set off. You may need a jumper cable to get started. 

Winter driving tips

You should avoid sudden acceleration or turn your steering wheel too much in icy conditions. Accelerating too quickly will make the wheels spin and you could lose control. Drive slowly and try not to stop while driving uphill. Drive as safely as possible, and slow down before any intersections or stop signs. It might take you longer to slow down on icy roads.   

Driving on ice is scary, and you need to stay calm. Remember these tips and drive as carefully as you can. 

Before you set off

Remove all the snow and ice from your car windows and mirrors. You can turn on the engine to warm up the car and speed up the defreezing process. Buy some defreezer spray to help move some of the icy on your windshield. You also need a cloth to wipe the condensation on the inside of the car. Always check the weather forecast for any flash floods, snowstorms and black ice. You can prepare yourself with as much information as possible.

What to pack

Pack an emergency kit in the boot of your car, just in case you get stuck in the snow. You should have a warm blanket, extra socks, a thick coat and a survival kit. You need some good sunglasses to battle the low winter sun and a GPS to help you navigate new roads. Always have a mobile phone and your charger in the car in case of an emergency. Bring an emergency car kit with car jacks and much more.