Preparing your car for winter!

[johnnytheboy]

That wee nip in the air gets me thinking about those bad winters we had a few years back, not that I'm a worry wort or anything like that, it was just a royal pain ! I pretty much resign to the fact that if I was caught out stuck or anything I would be ok sleeping in the car! however it was my wife that got stuck a few years back and I would like to chuck a holdall or something in the boot "just in case" with necessary wee bits and pieces.

Now where do I start? I have a few ideas but would appreciate anything else

The car (already acquired)
Winter Tyres
Snow Shovel
Heavily concentrated washer fluid

The bag
Blanket
Gloves
Hat
Some sort of warming non perishable food
Magazine or book
Torch
Boots (she always wears heels)

 

[baggins]

A good start mate,
i would always add a flask of water (even just a water bottle) and i always keep a homemade nitelite stove*** with plenty of candles (just remember to keep a window open!).
A large sheet of cardboard and a small bag of grit (or cat litter) is a good idea for those extra slick roads or tyre socks.
*** the nitelite stove is an old catering tin with a couple of bits for wire through the middle to support a regular tin (filled with water) and 3 nitelite candles in the base (either that or a small gas stove).
i always go a bit overboard mind, having been stuck in the snow in the Yukon in January, Brrrrrrrrrr!
ensuring the car car has a phone charger though is a good plan and also that she knows how to get her position on a sat nav or phone using lat and long. even if it means nothing to her, to you or the emergency services, it is a good reference.

 

[wingstoo]

How about a "Pick and Mix" from this lot...

Auto Socks/ Snow Chains
Shovel
Jump Leads
De-icer/ Scraper
Winter Windscreenwash
Spare Clothes
Hat
Gloves

Shemagh
Boots
Blankets/ Sleeping Bag
stove and hexiblocks/ Gas stove
Cups
Pan
Cutlery
Tea/coffee
Biscuits
Chocolate
Cup a soup
Water- how do I prevent it from freezing?
Spare fuel
Torch/ Windup or battery
Spare torch batteries
Strobe Light
Tealights
Matches and
Lighter
Medicines
Book or something to keep you entertained
Wind-up radio
Pee bottle
Cling film
Toilet paper/tissues
Wipes
Nappy/dog poo bags
Handheld CB
Hot water bottle
Sunglasses

 

[rik_uk3]

This is a new thread idea

 

[wingstoo]

Just a sensible reminder Rik...

Repetition, repetition, repetition is often the case, shall we have a look at how often we have said "Lest we forget" every November on the forums?

 

[johnnytheboy]

Sarcasm is the lowest form of wit Rik :-D

Now I never thought of that, the pee situation, its easy for us guys! she was stuck on the motorway and had no where to go! not sure I can solve that one!!

 

[Goatboy]

Sarcasm is the lowest form of wit Rik :-D

Now I never thought of that, the pee situation, its easy for us guys! she was stuck on the motorway and had no where to go! not sure I can solve that one!!

Get her Shewee

http://www.shewee.com/

Plus I find sarcasm a pinnacle of wit.

 

[wingstoo]

Often a blanket hung over the front and rear passenger doors can give a bit of privacy for the Lady folk...:thinkerg:

 

[Goatboy]

Often a blanket hung over the front and rear passenger doors can give a bit of privacy for the Lady folk...:thinkerg:

But she'll miss out on the fun of writing her name!

 

[British Red]

Phone charger is indeed vital.

Autosocks or chains, shovels, snow ladders et al are only useful if she is willing to practice fitting them and know how / when to use them.

Beyond that - the means to let people know where she is, and how to make herself safe and comfortable is what matters. Warm clothes, a blanket, a means to communicate, a means to have something to eat and drink, something to entertain herself in the many hours until rescue. I keep some old DVDs in the car to watch on the satnav / DVD player - plus a book if I'm worried about the battery. Being stranded in the dark on a lonely road is scary. Pulling into a layby, having a hot drink, a warm blanket, a good book and knowing that people know where you are is far less worrying.

 

[dwardo]

You lot will be telling me its Christmas soon.

 

[British Red]

Christmas puds are in stock in Tesco (I sh** you not!)

 

[Goatboy]

Christmas puds are in stock in Tesco (I sh** you not!)

And the nights are fair drawing in...

 

[copper_head]

Couldn't help myself...

 

[British Red]

Couldn't help myself...

...and you know what -

there's a storm coming

 

[Ronnie]

Pack a brew kit
Check your battery
Change your belt(s) if they haven't been done for a couple of years

 

[Lister]

zippo handwarmer, always handy for the car, warms the cars, defrosts the inside and keep thee nads warm!

 

[Imagedude]

It's that time of year when I check that my locking diffs still work, the winch still functions and time to change the M&S (mud & snow) tyres for my winter tyres. Landrover is coming out of his summer hibernation, time to put the Toyota to bed.

 

[Big Stu 12]

I will not be doing much to my LAndy... its aways got the kit in...

 

[Dogoak]

Start looking out for the Lidl screenwash, rated to -60 or thereabouts. I use it neat during the winter and I'm glad to say, it's never frozen