Every year I'm amazed at the number of people that don't even carry a coat with them in the winter...
Just went through that scenario last week. Folks without jackets, chains, no 4-wheel drive and snow tires, but; they had their mask on!!
When the rivers freeze over there is usually some local who goes out to cut holes in the ice for fishing. The state wants each body of water to be posted to the thickness of the ice. DOT puts up signs that tell you according to the thickness of the ice how many tons your vehicle can be to be safe driving on the ice. But every year there are always people who ignore the posted warnings, and their vehicles punch through the ice into the lake below. To be safe, always follow the posted warnings.
When it snows here we get to laugh at the mail lady with the two-wheel drive Jeep. I walked along side her last time as she was getting stuck at every mailbox and told her what was wrong. "Your Jeep is missing something." She immediately took the bait and wanted to know what was missing. So I told her. "A front axle and a transfer case." My winter prep this year has been switching from A/C in the afternoon to heat in the morning.
I was told that I should carry kitty litter for when I get stuck. I have used my floor mats and branches when stuck. Does anyone think kitty litter should be part of the winter kit?
My main winter prep for all the vehicles happens between halloween and thanksgiving: Oil Change. other fluids checked. bottle of techron in the gas tank. battery checked. New wipers fill washer solvent tank with rainX Deicer solvent swap all season tires over to directional snow tires new air filter snow brush in the back seat blanket in the back seat spare gloves and knit hats shoved into the door pockets.
YES Better than Salt in the car , Sand also pulls in Moisture , Cat stuff vacuums up well. Since were a farmers here , I use the feed for chickens etc, after that the stuff is eaten by the local birds and is cleaned up. @Motomom34
That is a big one that many do not think about until there is a cold snap and your wish- washy doesn't work. Same with making sure your anti-freeze is good.
Up here, they sell 50 lb sandbags. Both weight in the rear and some traction grit if stuck. Boy, only in Alaska could they sell...dirt..