As snow keeps popping up in the weather forecast, AAA says now is the best time to prep your car for the winter season.
Using the motto 'It's better to have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it,' AAA suggests drivers have everything from snacks to an extra pair of boots left in the car.
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AAA communications director Nick Jarmusz says you can easily prepare for those icy or snowy commutes in a few steps.
"Testing your battery and checking your tires. Those are the two things that if you wait until it's too late, you could find yourself in a really inconvenient and possibly unsafe situation," says Jarmusz.
Jarmusz also says it's safer to have a professional look at your battery, but you can easily check your tires using a quarter.
"Grabbing President Washington by his neck and sticking him head first into the treads of your tires. If you can see the top of his head, then that means there's not enough tread depth left on your tires," Jarmusz explained.
AAA also urges drivers to not forget to check their windshield wipers, make sure the wiper fluid tank is full and to testing all of your lights.
All of these steps are pre-snow, but once it sticks, always having at least half a tank, or full tank of gas is important.
Jarmusz says you should also have an emergency kit in your car. The kit consists of:
- Phone charger
- Jumper cables
- Warm clothing (extra pair of boots, blankets, gloves, and hats)
- Lights (Flares, Flashlight, Reflectors)
- Snacks (Non-perishable foods and water)
- General First Aid Kit
- Non-clumping kitty litter
- Ice scraper + Snow brush
