10 Things to Keep in Your Trunk for Extreme Winter Weather Driving
If you live in an area where the weather gets rough, then you need to keep these items in your trunk at all times.
1. A Shovel
Having a shovel in your trunk may seem suspicious; however, when you're stuck in the snow, you will be thankful you put it there. A shovel is the quickest way to get unstuck, just shovel the snow around the tires, and it will give you room to put any material that provides more traction so you can get your car unstuck. Some people find pieces of wood to use as little ramps, others have used their floor mats to help get them out of trouble.
2. Flashlight
Whether you are on a road trip, driving to the nearest gas station, or just out in the snow, a flashlight is critically important. If it's night out, you can never tell why your car is stuck or why it's broken down if you don't have a flashlight to brighten things up. So always keep a flashlight in your trunk, and if you're serious about survival, put a set of batteries in there with it.
3. Reflectors
It would be a great shame to see your car get rear ended because of poor visibility. Reflectors come in a variety of shapes and forms, from reflecting cones, to little triangles that you set on the trunk of your car. As you work on your car, try to figure out why it's stuck, or even wait for the tow truck, having reflectors could be nothing short of life-savers.
4. Extra Clothes
If you want to be able to think clearly during a crisis, you must stay warm. Whether you are briefly stuck two miles from home, or you are far away from people, having extra clothes is extremely important. Don't allow yourself to start shaking while you try to figure out how you can survive; instead, always have extra layers that will keep you warm and give you a much better chance at surviving and thinking effectively.
5. Rope
We understand, having a shovel and a rope in the trunk of your car looks absolutely horrible, but if you'd rather go home first then by all means, take the chance. Rough weather is extremely unpredictable, and if by some bad luck you find yourself off the road, a rope can get you back on the road quickly and easily. Just use your reflectors to get someone's attention, and kindly ask them for a quick rescue.
6. Jumper Cables
Don't let a small problem escalate to something much bigger. Having jumper cables in the trunk of your car could be the difference between sitting on some street, or cruising home smoothly. Car batteries die, and if you own a car, you will experience this inconvenience at some point of your life. Be sure to not make a big deal out of this small obstacle, and get yourself a quick jump.
7. Tire Chains
Most of the time, you don't need tire chains, but when you actually need them, you have to have them. You've probably seen some of the videos of cars driving on ice, where the cars have minds of their own veering off dangerously. When you find your car not responding to you as much as it should, pull over and wrap the tire chains around your tires to gain the extra traction that will get you home safely.
8. First Aid Kit
Everything else aside, this is by far the most important item to have in the trunk of your car. In a situation where your car is stuck and you're trying to retrieve it, or even if you're changing your tire on the side of the road, you face a risk of hurting yourself or getting cut. Don't rely on the ambulance, you never know when you don't have service on your phone, or you don't know how long it would take them; instead, give yourself the best chance at survival and make sure you have a full first aid kit with you.
9. Cell Phone Charger
Phones are great inventions, especially now that you can go on the internet and get anything and everything that you need by just moving your fingers around a few times, but what's the purpose of the phone that can't get you out of trouble if it doesn't have a charge? This is perhaps the simplest, yet most important, item to keep in your car. Be sure to have a car charger for your phone, and use it to call for help.
10. Food and Water
If you're taking a road trip, be sure to not take it lightly. It is one thing if you're taking a drive to the liquor store in the winter, but driving on secluded highways could mean getting stranded. If the worst happens and you find yourself stranded without phone service, just keep yourself comfortable until you find help, and most importantly, stay hydrated. It would never hurt to keep canned food and a big jug of water in the trunk of your car.
For all your interior, exterior or under the hood maintenance needs, our How-To section has got your covered here in ClubLexus.com!