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Winter Driving All About Being READY

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Winter driving all about being ready

Monday, January 17, 2000

By Jerry F. Boone of The Oregonian staff
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Through rain, sleet and the dark of night, Oregonians survived winter's first onslaught last week. So, hardy commuter, are you ready for the next round?

Things could well get worse before they get better, and the best advice is to be prepared for more winter weather. Here are some tips about what to do and how to do it:

Battery: If your battery is more than a couple of years old, have a "start/charge" check performed on it. Some service stations and parts stores will do it at no cost. Stores that sell batteries also generally will check the system for free; but remember, they are in the business of selling batteries.

Batteries create electricity via a chemical reaction. That reaction slows down, and the battery reduces its power as the temperature drops. A battery that works fine at 60 degrees may struggle at 30 degrees.

If you need a new battery, buy the most powerful one (rated in cold cranking amps) you can afford.

Even if your battery is fine, a set of high-quality jumper cables can make the difference between getting home or not for you or someone else. If you have to jump start a vehicle, remember to first turn off the lights, radio and accessories of the car needing the jump. Then hook up the red wires to the positive terminals, beginning with the good battery. Attach one end of the black wire to the negative terminal of the car with the good battery. Last, attach the other end to the metal frame of the car needing the jump start.

Remove them in reverse order. Do not let the red and black wires touch each other while they are attached to a battery. Window: Switch to winter solution in the washer system. Or at least increase the soap content of what is in the reservoir. The nights are still long, and you can't avoid danger you can't see.

You can prolong the life of your wiper blades by being sure to turn off the wipers and letting them return to the resting position before you turn the key off. That will prevent you from starting the car (and the wiper motor) while the blades are frozen to the windshield. Another trick is to lift up the wiper blades and place a few pieces of newspaper (you can pick your favorite section) on the windshield to help keep it clear. Or simply pull the wiper blade arms forward until they lock in the upright position. Lights: Check lights frequently. Wipe off the layer of road grime on headlights. Check that all the turnlights and emergency flashers work.

Traction: If you drove in last week's snow, you already know if your tires are worn out. The deeper the grooves and the more "open" the tread, the better tires will bite into the snow. It is the tread -- not studs -- that move you in snow. Studs work only when the vehicle needs traction on ice.

If you need new tires, consider buying a set of extra wheels (either new or through a wrecking yard) to save the cost of mounting and dismounting them twice a year. An extra set of wheels also encourages drivers to run studded tires only when they are needed.

A bag of sand, kitty litter or chicken scratch (available at most feed stores) can give you enough traction to get going again on ice. A folding shovel from a military surplus store is handy to dig out when you are in deep snow.

Emergency stuff: Sometimes even the best-prepared winter warrior ends up in a jam. Those who have prepared have:

 Phone numbers of your preferred towing operator, neighbors, insurance company, etc. Keep them in the glove box.

 Accident form to fill out just in case there's a dented fender.

 Coins for a pay phone (or a well-charged cell phone).

 Footwear that is comfortable and dry. It could be a hike to the phone. Keep a pair of boots in the trunk, along with an older coat and non-dress gloves.

 Flashlight to find the phone. An inexpensive, battery-powered red strobe light commonly used by bicycle commuters is a great way to alert motorists that you are walking along the road.

 Blankets to keep warm if you have to remain with your car. If you are on one of the major Portland-area highways patrolled by ODOT's COMET trucks, it is best to stay with your vehicle unless it poses an accident risk. Often times the COMET truck can get you going without the cost of a tow truck.

 Snacks of high-energy food. Also carry extra prescription medicines if you must take them on a regular basis.

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-- Ashton & Leska (allaha@earthlink.net), January 18, 2000

Answers

Yeah! Being prepared is the best peace-of-mind insurance :-)

Wind, flooding, ice, snow ...

-- Ashton & Leska in Cascadia (allaha@earthlink.net), January 18, 2000.

Good article!

In addition to the list above, my winter emergency gear includes:

One can of "canned heat" and matches (I used to carry a stubby candle, but canned heat is hotter and lasts six hours. I get mine at a camping store)

One jug of water in an insullated jug. (It hasn't frozen, yet -- I change the water on the first of the month)

Two full-sized wool blankets (and I add additional ones when I have more passengers)

Stay warm!

-- (ladybuckeye_59@yahoo.com), January 18, 2000.

In about 1975 or 6, a couple from Portland went on a picnic in the springtime with their nursing infant girl. A sudden snow trapped them, the mother kept the girl alive and fed until the mom died, and the father then kept the baby warm until they were found. Took about 3 days, I think. The police or whatever had given up hope, and they were found by a chopper hired by his boss (Tige Branch, if I recall).

Even a spring picnic can turn into an emergency real quick.

-- bw (home@puget.sound), January 20, 2000.

I carry a set of V-bar tire chains in my truck toolbox year-round. Each link of the cross-chain (that goes across the tread of the tire) has a metal V that grips the road surface. I bought mine from NAPA. V-bar chains on all four wheels of a 4x4 will go when nothing else can move on ice, mud and/or snow. Nota Bene. Be certain that the chains you buy are V-bar. DO NOT buy smooth link tire chains.

-- Vlad (Strelok60@yahoo.com), January 25, 2000.