Winter Storm Alert! 🌨️ Is Your Vehicle Ready for Rain or Snow?

[LASFIT]

According to the NWSWPC, a winter storm is set to hit the Central Plains this Saturday night! Whether it’s pouring rain or heavy snow, it’s time to gear up for those winter drives.

Is your area expecting the storm’s arrival? If you need to hit the road, what’s on your checklist? Bright headlights to cut through the gloom? Anti-slip floor mats to keep things clean and safe? Or maybe snow chains and a trusty shovel?

Let’s talk winter car prep! Share your must-haves for staying safe and ready when the weather takes a turn.

 

[racsan]

With the ranger it was all about proper tires & ballasting. Winter tires on all 4 & 200# in the bed. went through about anything that way. The AWD escape has a dedicated winter set of tires, Ive yet to have a snow situation it couldnt handle. The FWD escape has a fairly new set of all-season tires, its a big noticeable difference from the other escape. The 3rd car is a awd equinox. Its got the tires it came with and since its the newest it just stays in the garage if the weather is bad. We don’t get quite the winters that we used to. Might be 1 or 2 weeks out of the winter that it’s really bad, some winters have just been cold and thats it.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

Tires, ballast as needed, keep the gas tank more full than empty… usually have a pillow and blanket in the truck plus I’ll bring an extra jacket and couple bottles of water. Grill, propane tank and some food is almost always in whatever I’m driving.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Tractor is gassed up and ready for war. I've heard 4-8" in our area.

Plan is to hibernate in place.

 

[sgtsandman]

Both trucks were pretty much setup for winter before I left. At this point, the best I can say about the 2011 was, it ran when parked. I'll find out if it still does when I get home and start clearing whatever snow and ice is on it while it warms up. The battery was disconnected when I left. So, theoretically, it should start. The tires might need some air too.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Nothing inspires confidence like "ran when parked"...

It's right up there with "it only needs a fuel pump"

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

Both trucks were pretty much setup for winter before I left. At this point, the best I can say about the 2011 was, it ran when parked. I'll find out if it still does when I get home and start clearing whatever snow and ice is on it while it warms up. The battery was disconnected when I left. So, theoretically, it should start. The tires might need some air too.

If it gives you too much trouble, feel free to give me a ring

 

[JohnnyO]

Before the weather got cold, a coat of wax, Rain-X on the glass, check the fluids, winter wiper blades. Three 60 lb sandbags in the bed and I built a frame out of 2x4's to hold them over the axle and topped it with a piece of OSB so I can set things on it.

 

[SenorNoob]

Full tank of gas is pretty much it. I should really put the toolbox back on for the weight. Without it I can lift the rear while braking down a hill...

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Winter wiper blades.
Winter tires with studs
Tire inflater runs off 12V.
Shovel if traveling far.
Snacks and water if traveling far.
Blanket if traveling far.
Small tool kit.
2 gallon gas.

 

[ZMan]

my daily is a 2001 Honda Accord. I stopped putting snow tires on it 5 years ago because our winters have been pretty scarce here in Ohio the last 9ish years. It's a tank though. My commute in 99% highway, so I really don't "prep" much honestly.

 

[flyin-lowe]

My son who is going to be the primary driver on the 04 ranger I recently bought just has his learners permit and is only 15. We got about 6-7 inches yesterday and unfortunately he wasn't home. I was wanting to take him to a lot somewhere and practice some winter driving. I put 6 40# bags of softener salt in the back. Our driveway is about 700 feet and it still has a few inches of snow but all the roads and lots around are cleared. I could tell when I had him drive tonight that it still will take some skill even with the weight. I would rather have him learn to drive in a 2WD just to get the experience. Like others in our neck of the woods, we haven't had much snow the last 5-10 years. So I can't really justify buying winter or snow tires.

 

[Robertmangrum.rm]

I'm ready and looking forward to it, haha. I'm hoping to hit some local trails for some snow wheeling Saturday if it comes.

 

[sgtsandman]

View attachment 122062
I'm ready and looking forward to it, haha. I'm hoping to hit some local trails for some snow wheeling Saturday if it comes.

You have tires that aren't just on this side of being racing slicks now, don't you?