Winter Driving Tips

December is a time of joy and cheer. When we all get ready to be warm and happy in the company of our loved ones. This means we are on the roads to go shopping, visiting, and general traveling. For this reason we wanted to share some winter driving tips so you may have a safe holiday season. We will also go into a bit more detail on extended car warranties and how they can improve your peace of mind while driving. Chaiz offers affordable plans that can fit anyone’s needs. It may even make a nice gift. Read on further as we explore the winter driving tips and how warranties could benefit you and your family.

Key Points:

• General winter driving tips
• Safety tips
• Snow driving tips
• What to keep in your car
• What are extended car warranties?
• Should I get an extended car warranty with Chaiz?
• Extra tips for a road trip

General Winter Driving Tips

Between how you react and how quickly the car can react is how much time you have to avoid an accident. Driving in less than desirable conditions can lead to accidents. It is important to recognize when to slow down and take it easy. Especially if you drive where it rains or snow falls. During winter months light can be lacking which can also impact your reaction times. So when it is cloudy out, or there is rain, snow or sleet then remember to slow down, check three times, and have emergency gear with you in case you get stuck out in harsh weather conditions.

Safety Tips

Getting stuck on the side of the road is never fun. You just know it is going to be hours of hassle and leave you feeling exhausted afterwards. Getting stuck when visibility is low and the snow is high certainly makes the matter worse. Before driving out into cold, unpredictable weather, pack an emergency kit that has food, first aid kit, and warm clothes. If you do get stuck on the side of the road you will want to receive your resources and make sure you get seen. Allow the car to heat up intermittently so help conserve the battery and ration out the heat. Make sure the exhaust pipe is clear of obstruction so you do not get carbon monoxide poisoning, and mark your car with reflective gear so that passers by or the service coming to get you can easily spot where you are broken down.

Snow Driving Tips

If at all possible, driving in extreme conditions should be avoided. A trip in heavy weather can be far more taxing and take a lot longer than it would under more favorable conditions. However, if you are going to be driving in snowy or icy conditions we want you to be as prepared as possible before driving off into uncertain terrain. Here are a few tips for driving in the snow:

• Take it slow – drive slowly and double your time to arrival.
• Check your tires – make sure your tires are not damaged and are the correct tires for snow or use snow chains if necessary.
• Increase your driving distance between cars – it takes much longer to slow down in the snow so to avoid a collision it is best to keep your distance and pay attention.
• Keep your park/low lights on – make sure you are visible to the vehicles around you by keeping your lights on.
• Drive in a lower gear – when you need more traction (grip) then a lower gear can sometimes help to achieve it, also do not use cruise control in the snow.
• Brake slowly – try not to slam on your brakes at any time and push slowly on your brake pedal to get a gradual stop and prevent too much skidding.

What to Keep in Your Car

We wanted to touch on the items that should always be in your car. Whether it is a roadblock or simply getting stuck on the side of the road you want to have some items to make the situation a bit smoother. If you are going on a road trip, research your travel route and destination carefully to make any adjustments specific to your destination. Here are the 8 items to always have with you in the car:

License & Registration

Up to date paperwork is a must, especially when traveling the country or even abroad via car. Check that you have packed your license and registration along with any other permits you might need. In a frenzy of excitement many people leave important papers behind so it is always good to mention.

Car manual

You might land up in a situation where the car has a warning light coming on but you do not know what it is. Thinking the car is fine you continue driving on but eventually breakdown. Your car manual will have all this information in it so if you see a light come on you know to react immediately. Ultimately avoiding a breakdown in harsh weather conditions.

Insurance

Anything can happen when visibility is low and people are tired from stressful driving. Collisions are particularly common during difficult weather conditions. Ensure that you have up to date insurance in case you are in an accident. You will have access to quick emergency services and less immediate costs.

Extended car warranty

You may be asking yourself, why do I need a car warranty if I have insurance? Well, the answer is simple, your insurance does not cover mechanical breakdowns. Should your car have a transmission failure of some kind, an extended car warranty will be able to cover the majority of the costs. We will elaborate in the sections below.

Roadside emergency kit

These kits often include items such as a simple first aid kit, jumper cables, tow strap, led flashlight, raincoat, tire pressure gauge, and safety vest. Regardless of how far or frequently you intend to travel, an emergency kit is always important. Being prepared and having the tools you need will help you stay calm and manage the situation.

Spare tire & Jack

No one wants to change a tire. Especially randomly on the side of the road. If you haven’t changed one before it can be very intimidating. But know that it is just a process and having the right equipment helps a lot. So the best thing to do is to make sure you have a well pumped spare and jack for your probable roadside tire change.

Map

For the most part, we can rely on our phones and other devices to get us from A to B. But I can say that having a map in a waterproof pouch helped me when I was out of data, my phone died, I was in a remote area, and so on. Know how to read a map and keep one with you so you won’t get lost.

Emergency gas & water

If you are traveling far, it is often suggested to take extra gas and water for your car in case of an emergency. I would argue that even in shorter distances it can be really helpful to have a jerry can of gas and one of water securely in the vehicle.

Other

If you get stuck it can help to have other emergency gear in your car. Sand or kitty litter that can help get traction under the wheels when you have gotten caught in some mud or snow are a good example. Other items to have on hand are a snow shovel, broom, ice scraper, warning devices, extra blankets, battery bank for phones, food, water, and any medication.

What are Extended Car Warranties?

Extended car warranties are in fact vehicle service contracts offered by third-party providers, such as those here at Chaiz. When buying a new car you receive the factory warranty with the vehicle. These warranties are generally either the powertrain warranty or the bumper-to-bumper warranty and sometimes additional coverage options like diesel engines, corrosion, or emissions coverage can come with more luxurious brands. Extended car warranties offered on Chaiz give you the choice of three different warranty types. This is the powertrain plan, powertrain plus plan, and the bumper-to-bumper or “most comprehensive” plan. Many of these plans come with the additional coverage options and added benefits that alleviate the cost of ownership greatly.

The extended warranty cost and length is dependent on the car make and model as well as the type of warranty selected. Powertrain warranties last the longest and are the most affordable offering coverage for the least amount of parts. Powertrain plus warranties cover the parts listed under powertrain warranties with a few adjacent systems included in the coverage. They are affordable and generally last a medium length of time. The most comprehensive coverage is known as bumper-to-bumper or exclusionary warranties. They are the most expensive but offered the most detailed coverage. Covering all parts except a few listed items specific to the warranty plan. They do not last as long as the other warranty types but they do give you the greatest peace of mind.

Should I Get an Extended Car Warranty with Chaiz?

If you have come to the end of your factory warranty it is likely time to look into an extended car warranty, which is a vehicle service contract as mentioned above. Not having a warranty in place means that any mechanical failures will have to be paid out of pocket, including services such as towing. Not to fear, there are options and affordable ones at that right here on Chaiz.

Like the factory warranty, the extended car warranties offered by third-party warranty providers are available in your typical powertrain and bumper-to-bumper warranty plans but ,as we said, they offer other variations with greater flexibility so you may adjust the plan with optional coverage times to better suit your driving needs. The additional coverage options include commercial use, rideshare, and lift kits to tailor the plan to your requirements. Many of these plans also come with additional benefits like roadside assistance, accommodation in the event that you break down 100 miles or more away from home, tire changing services, and fuel delivery services.

Ultimately to alleviate the stress of driving and keep ownership costs low it is a good idea to invest in an extended car warranty. Especially here at Chaiz, where we strive to deliver the best in online car warranty services. Through the Chaiz search tool you can input your car’s details and the top third-party providers will pop up. Each plan has a more detailed tab if you want extensive information on the plan. Otherwise you can request a call back. We only call when you ask, no robocalls or pressure to purchase here at Chaiz.

Use the Chaiz search tool to find the perfect warranty for you from the best providers throughout the USA.

Extra Tips for a Road Trip

Perhaps you are going to go on a road trip soon during the holiday season. Here are a few fun items to include in your road trip packing list could be things like car games, books, backyard sports equipment/sets, and music/playlists. Also keep in mind that you will need personal items such as toiletries, refuse bags, chargers/batteries, wi-fi hotspot, snacks, and reusable water bottles.

If you have young children then be sure that their car seats are not damaged and that they have been properly secured. Some pillows and blankets for the older children/passengers in the back will likely make for a much more comfortable drive as well. Just be sure not to overfill the car as it can cause further blind spots. Visibility is your friend while driving.  So stay vigilant and keep safe out on the road.

‍