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How to Survive a Winter Night in Your Car

  • Car Care Tips
  • Renee Martin
  • 4 minutes

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Imagine getting stuck in your car in the middle of a snowstorm? Sounds scary, right! However, if you ever get stuck inside your vehicle, here’s our guide on how to survive a winter night in your car.  

Driving in winter is not an easy task. As a driver, you should be at the top of your game to tackle harsh weather conditions. The possibility of spending an unplanned night in your car increases when you go out during the winter. Your car getting stuck in the snow, breaking down because of an engine failure, or running out of fuel are some common reasons drivers spend a night or night in their car in winter. A little preparation and know-how can help you survive a winter night in your car till help arrives. We’ve explained it all in this post – keep reading to know more.    

How to survive winter night in car - car covered with snow

Winterize your car    

Before winter arrives, make sure you winterize your car and be prepared. Here are the things you can follow to prepare your car for winter: 

Install winter tires and wipers   

For a safe driving experience, don’t forget to install winter tires and wipers. The winter wiper blades will have a thick rubber layer to clear the snow. Also, it’s best to install your snow tires during winter because of the better traction and grip they offer.  

Check fluid levels and battery.  

Before heading out, make sure the fluid levels in your car are optimal. These fluids will help make your winter driving hassle-free and help prepare your car for the cold temperature. Another major reason drivers get stranded on a cold, snow-filled road is a dead car battery. You need to turn on your car at least for some time to keep you warm at night. For that, you need the battery to be in working condition. Check the battery’s condition and change it immediately if you notice any trouble.   

Have a winter car emergency kit    

Having a car emergency kit in your during the winter is a no-brainer. The items in your car can help in dangerous situations and let you survive the night. Here’s a list of items that your winter car emergency kit should contain:      

  • Water    
  • First aid kit    
  • Tool kit    
  • Flashlight with additional batteries  
  • Spare tire    
  • Reflectors  
  • Jumper cables    
  • Blanket    
  • Shovel    
  • Gloves    

Never let your gas tank go empty  

Make sure your tank is at least half full all the time. By keeping your gas tank full, you can prevent gas line freeze. Also, if you don’t have a lot of options at your disposal, a full gas tank can help keep your warm and safe till help arrives.  

Stay inside the vehicle.  

If you’re stuck in a snowstorm, the smart thing to do is stay inside the car. The cold weather outside your car can freeze you and affect your body. Another important thing is to switch on the engine only for 10 minutes or less every hour. 

Keep yourself warm and hydrated.   

While inside the car, indulge in mild exercises that can warm you up. It could be clapping or moving your hands. You can also use an extra layer of cloth to keep yourself warm. Make use of the floor mats if you don’t have an extra piece of clothing.  

The cold weather can dehydrate you very fast; that’s why you need to have extra water in your car while you’re traveling. Drink the water at regular intervals to keep yourself hydrated.  

Call 911 for help

If you’re stranded with no one around to help you call 911 and as for help. You can also call roadside assistance. But what do you do when there’s no mobile phone range in the area? Inform your friends and family about the route you will be traveling. If you don’t reach your destination or disconnect with them, they will know where to send help.   

Avoid traveling during harsh weather.

Cancel or postpone your travel plans when the weather is not friendly. Check the online weather reports, listen to the radio or TV, and know the weather before going out.  

We hope these tips answer your question about how to survive a winter night in your car. Do you know other tips drivers can follow? Let us know, and we’ll feature them in our next post.   

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