Cold Weather Vehicle Safety

Vehicle safety during Alaska’s cold winter months critical.  It is well known that Alaska winters are cold. In Alaska, we plan ahead for the cold weather by winterizing vehicles to make sure cars handle the harsh conditions. Focusing on vehicle safety is crucial for Alaska’s cold winter climate.

Before traveling, check your vehicle and increase your vehicle safety. Make sure your car is ready to drive in cold weather. Emergency supplies in your car are essential in case of an accident.

Basic Winterizing Increases Vehicle Safety

If your vehicle isn’t already winterized, do it today.

There are a few basic things Alaskans do to increase vehicle safety through the winter months. The first step is to outfit your vehicle with a battery warmer, an oil pan warmer. The warmers will keep fluids from freezing so that vehicles start during freezing temperatures. Check all fluid levels regularly and use winter weight fluids.

Winter windshield wipers and an ice scraper are also helpful additions to your vehicle safety. Winter wipers help combat ice during winter months and a scraper continually makes itself useful.

If possible, install an auto start system. While not completely necessary, an auto start makes warming vehicles before driving more convenient, thus increasing vehicle safety.

Winter Tires Increases Vehicle Safety

Tires are one of the most important things to consider for vehicle safety during winter months. All season, winter tires, studded tires and even tire chains are all options for better traction in ice and snow.

Tire Pressure

Tire pressure is even more important for vehicle safety, regardless of the tire you choose. When temperatures drop, air pressure in your tire will also drop. It is important to check tire pressure regularly and maintain it at the manufacturer’s recommendations, increasing vehicle safety.

Check the air pressure in your tires to make sure they are at a good PSI. The PSI, or pounds per square inch, varies per vehicle. Poor air pressure in your tires increases the risk for accidents. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in 2022 more than 550 people died on the road in tire-related crashes.

Before You Drive

Check the fuel level in your gas tank. A full tank is always best, especially when the temperatures drop below zero. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, cold weather affects your vehicle in more ways than you might expect. “Cold weather effects can vary by vehicle model. However, expect conventional gasoline vehicles to suffer a 10% to 20% fuel economy loss in city driving and a 15% to 33% loss on short trips.”

Emergency Supplies In Your Car Increases Vehicle Safety

Prepare your vehicle for severe winter weather. Your vehicle safety gear should include jumper cables, an ice scraper, snow brush, road flares, and extra winter clothing such as blankets, mittens and socks; and a first aid kit. These vehicle safety items are available as pre-packaged sets or custom-built. Other supplies to consider are:

• A bag of sand or non-clumping cat litter to help with traction
• A snow shovel
• A tow strap
• Hand warmers
• Tire gauge

These supplies will be handy in an accident or if you need to pull over in extreme weather. Keep the supplies in your back seat, not your trunk to increase the benefit to your vehicle safety.  The trunk may be damaged in an accident, eliminating access to your supplies. 

Being prepared for the freezing temperatures will increase vehicle safety, keeping you and your loved ones warmer in emergency situations.

This piece on Cold Weather Vehicle Safety is the fifth of a nine-part winter safety series. See our safety tips for Outdoor Winter Walking Safety; Keeping Kids Safe and Warm; Heating Your Home; Driving in Ice and Snow; Snowmachine Safety; Removing Ice and Snow Safely; and Surviving Extreme Cold.

Johnson & Associates has been helping Alaskans for nearly 30 years. It’s who we are. And while we hope you never need us… We’re here if you do. ~ Doug Johnson

Please call Johnson & Associates to discuss your case: (907)277-3090 or use our online contact form.

Sources: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration; U.S. Department of Energy; The Farmers’ Almanac

Image Source: The Farmers’ Almanac