Although it has been a mild winter so far, there are still bound to be cold days and snow and ice ahead. Your best bet to be safe when driving in the snow and ice is to be sure that your car is prepared for the winter.

Winter Tire Traction
We've mentioned in previous articles that your best bet for good traction in the snow and ice is to buy winter tires for your car. Snow tires are specifically designed to dig into the snow and grip the road in some of the toughest conditions.

However, in extreme cases, even a good set of snow tires are not enough. In these conditions you may need to invest in a set of tire chains or traction cables. Traction cables are like chains, but easier on the road, as they are metal covered in a layer of hard plastic. They are simple and fast to install and a better alternative to chains in most cases.

More Than Just Snow Tires
Now that we have the tires safely gripping the snow covered roads, there are other things to consider when driving in the winter. What if you car doesn't start? Or what if your tires are working, but your wipers are bad and you can't see more than 2 feet in front of you? Here are some other items that you should consider when trying to prepare your for winter driving conditions.

• Always have a good snow scraper on hand. It doesn't hurt to have an extra in case yours breaks - or if you have a passenger with you, then you can work as a team to scrape the snow and ice from your car. A good scraper with a padded handle, scraper, and brush will only run you about $12-$15 on Amazon.
• Never underestimate the value of some good winter wiper blades. The worst thing in the world is to br driving on slippery roads and not be able to see out the window because of snow or sleet. It's also a good idea to stock up on extra wiper fluid, just in case!
• Your battery is much more likely to die in the cold, winter months. It never hurts to have an on board portable battery jumper. These things make life so much easier than having to find someone to jump your car or waiting in the cold for a tow truck. They can be had for under $100, which most people probably don't realize. This particular model is on sale right now on Amazon for only $69!
• And finally, if all else fails - it never hurts to have a good roadside emergency kit. A good one will contain flares, medical equipment, jumper cables, a shovel, and much more. It's better to be safe than sorry. They fit easily in your trunk or backseat.

With these tips in mind, along with careful and slow driving (patience) - you'll get to your winter destination safe and happy! Drive safely.

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