Are you planning to hit the road this winter? If so, equip your vehicle to face any potential risk on icy roads. Keep reading this post by Weaver Synthetics in Portland to learn how to prepare a car winter emergency kit.

Winter entails road hazards that can be a real headache for drivers. You name it, from snow drifts and winter storms to icy and slippery surfaces. Despite that, winter is a beautiful season with plenty of special occasions, such as Christmas and New Year's Eve. Thus, many people hit the road hoping to visit family and friends with whom to spend the holidays. If you are looking forward to that, be sure to equip your car with tools and items to help you deal with any possible inconvenience along the way. To help you with that, here's how to prepare a car winter emergency kit.

Switch to the top synthetic oil in Portland to keep your vehicle in safe working condition for longer. Reach out to Weaver Synthetics at (503) 244-9394 or visit AMSOIL's online store to place an order for the best formulas and products for your car's routine maintenance.

But First, Give Your Car a Routine Check

Inspecting your vehicle goes hand in hand with preparing a winter emergency car kit. After all, both measures are meant to keep you safe on the road. Thus, take your car to the mechanic's shop before winter sets in. These are the most critical checkpoints to prevent breakdowns on icy roads.

• Check to see if your antifreeze formula is suitable for cold temperatures. After all, a mixture with a high percentage of water could freeze and cause radiator failure.
• Consider installing winter tires on your car. Otherwise, check for proper tread depth and air pressure to maintain your all-season set.
• Check your battery's voltage and make sure its terminals are clean and properly connected.
• Replace your summer wipers with a stronger winter set that can clear snow and ice from the windshield.

Keep your engine running smoothly with the continued use of AMSOIL's Signature Series 5W-20 Synthetic Motor Oil, the top-performing synthetic oil in Portland. To get the best products and lubricants delivered to your doorstep, call Weaver Synthetics at (503) 244-9394 or browse AMSOIL's online store.

How to Put Together a Car Winter Emergency Kit

Once your car is in the best shape to face the winter, equip it with the supplies and items listed below. In that regard, it is advisable to stock everything in a waterproof and fireproof container. Also, check each tool and supply's instructions to get the most out of your kit. These are the items it should contain:

Survival Supplies

• For starters, stock your kit with essentials to keep you warm. Carrying thermal blankets, hats, gloves, and wool socks will keep you warm and safe if your car heater breaks down.
• Having non-perishable food and water will keep you from going hungry or thirsty on the road. Say, for example, you must wait hours for roadside assistance to arrive after a car breakdown. In that case, eating high-calorie foods such as chocolate or dry fruit could give your body warmth and energy.
• Don't forget to include a first aid kit in your kit. You'll be glad to have it if you get sick during road trips. It will also help if you get hurt after a minor accident.

Vehicle Equipment

• Cold temperatures slow down the battery's chemical reactions. Plus, the increased use of heating and defrosters puts more strain on this component. Faced with such challenges, always carry jumper cables in your car.
• During the winter, you should always carry traction devices to compensate for your tires' loss of grip on icy, slippery, or snowy roads. So, include sand ladders, snow chains, or sand tubes in your kit.
• A portable shovel will be handy for unclogging your vehicle on snowy roads.
• Finally, include a rechargeable LED handheld flashlight in your kit. Besides not taking up much space, lanterns are essential for solving any problem in low-light conditions. For example, you may need to install snow chains after dark, or you may need to check your engine in the middle of a foggy road. Whatever the case, be sure to carry a flashlight on all your trips.

Preparing a car winter emergency kit is vital to ensure safer road trips. Another way to improve your driving safety is by giving your engine the most reliable synthetic oil change in Portland. For advice on what formulas suit your engine better, call Weaver Synthetics at (503) 244-9394. If you want to explore the entire AMSOIL catalog, click here.