As a car owner, you know just how important it is to take your vehicle in to a foreign auto repair shop in Conway, AR for regular maintenance—this includes oil changes, tire rotations, tune-ups and engine checks, just to name a few. Performing your own monthly at-home inspections is not a bad idea either.
But are you and your family prepared for what might happen while you’re out on the road this chilly holiday season? From the inconvenience of a flat tire to stressful transmission trouble, you must make sure you are ready ahead of time for the unexpected. Here’s a list of useful items you should keep in your car this winter in case of an emergency:
- Jumper cables: If you are planning on holiday road travel, make sure you have a set of working jumper cables in your trunk. Today, you can choose to carry standard jumper cables—the ones you hook up to another vehicle to restart a dead battery—or a rechargeable booster pack. Booster packs are battery operated, meaning you can jump start your own vehicle instead of waiting for someone to happen by.
- Warm clothing: Because it’s often bitterly cold during the winter months, it’s crucial that you pack extra warm clothing and blankets just in case your car breaks down. In a bag, have clothing items like jackets, socks, gloves, long pants and wool hats. It’s also a good idea to keep a pair of waterproof boots in the trunk, just in case you have to get out in wet conditions to change a flat or dig a tire out of the snow.
- First-aid kit: In the event of an emergency, you will want to have an up-to-date first aid kit on hand. Of course you want the kit to come with the essentials like pain medications, ointments and bandages, but consider other situations besides injury. For example, you or a family member could need allergy medication, a backup inhaler or even hot packs for a quick warm-up.
- Food and water: Most of us will bring snacks and drinks on a long road trip, but you should consider storing bottled water and non-perishable food items in your car indefinitely for emergencies. Let’s say, for example, you are unable to exit your stalled vehicle due to harsh winter conditions. It could be a while before help arrives, but at least you won’t go hungry.
- Spare tire: Before hitting the road this winter, check the condition of your spare tire and car jack. If your spare tire doesn’t look right, take it to your mechanic for an inspection—you may need a total replacement.
Before you take to the road for a long distance trip this winter, schedule an appointment with a foreign auto repair shop in Conway, AR, like Riverdale Automotive. A pre-trip inspection will help ensure that everything is working as it should be so you can enjoy a smooth, problem-free drive. Contact us today to schedule a visit!