Traveling for the holidays, driving through the mountains this time of year,12 things to check before leaving home.

 Snow sneaks up on me, Winter is expected.

October is an odd month, on the Delta, it has the potential of being the most beautiful time of year, it can be a nasty unpredictable month as well. This year it was particularly nice, the slough was smooth as glass for most of the month, the prevailing wind was mostly dormant. It's a mixed bag, allergies enter a new phase, the sun begins to set earlier and rises later as if being a warning of the coming winter. The first few days of November have been equally nice as well, giving the feeling it will remain like this for a long time, some of us settle into a zone of false security. Most of the time that warm fuzzy feeling is fleeting, but we can still get lulled into it.

It becomes a danger when we begin to make travel plans that take us through the mountains, or further north. November 1st is the beginning of the rainy season in the West, it may be a deluge or nothing at all as it is during drought years. Advertisements appear in newspapers, television ads, and on the radio depicting snow at some of the mountain ski resorts. For some, it is a beck and call for them to head to the hills and be the first on the slopes. Others imagine how nice it would be to spend a weekend or longer in a log cabin with a fire in the hearth warming against a crisp autumn night. Believe it or not, surfers head to the Southern California Beaches, storms in the Pacific bring waves, the weather in San Diego is exceptionally nice in November. These destinations all have at least two common entities, it is early winter, and travel through the mountains is part of arriving at the destination.

Ice on roads is not always accompanied by snow.

Motor trips in the mountains are precarious during the best weather, even then the main question is "will the weather hold?"  The unpredictability of the changing conditions is the unknown that can be the defining factor between a successful excursion or one that experiences delays, breakdowns, and ultimately throwing in the towel and returning home. It is worth noting that even with the best planning the conditions may change to the point of ending the trip. Planning is the most important task to undertake prior to heading out of the driveway, knowing what may potentially happen is paramount for getting ready to leave. No matter how many times we have made the trip or how many times they were uneventful, the past is not a prediction of the future. The only prediction past history is accurate about is we do not know for sure what the conditions will be like. Putting together a list of what may happen is the first step of the journey, below is a list of some of the items we should be certain are in top condition prior to the trip.

1)  Check your brakes, windshield wipers, defroster, heater, and exhaust system on your vehicle, they all need to be in top shape. Test the battery, replace it if the condition is questionable. Checking the battery is more critical if the ambient temperature when you leave home is warm, and the expected temperature of your destination is cold. If it is more than two years old replacement should be seriously considered.

2)  Add fluid to your wiper reservoir, when possible purchase a product with anti-icing additives. Have the radiator serviced and tell the mechanic you are planning a trip in the snow or cold weather.

3) The tires need to be inspected and replaced if they are worn below specifications, whether they are new or acceptable after being checked, make sure they are inflated to the correct level before leaving home.

4)  Purchase a new set of chains that fit the tires on the vehicle perfectly, learn how to install them and the three alpha-numeric codes which are:

R-1 Chains are required, snow treaded tires are allowed, (MSS is noted on the sidewall).

R-2 All vehicles must have chains installed with the exception of 4-wheel drive vehicles with snow tires.

R-3 All vehicles must have snow chains installed, there are no exceptions.

5) Keep ice scrapers, a broom, shovel, and a sack of sand in your trunk. Expect ice to form on the windscreen which needs to be scrapped off, do not drive with ice covered windows, keep the defrosters on to eliminate the interior of the car fogging up. When stopped overnight, or during a snow squall the car may need to be swept off with the broom, and if we get stuck the sand will help us gain traction. Hand cleaner and a towel should be added as well, tossing in a few rags won't be a mistake.

6)  All important water needs a space, enough for at least three days. Extra clothing, food, blankets, a flashlight, and a warming device. The heater may be as simple as a propane lantern, (add an extra propane cylinder), or a clay flower pot with its drip tray and a candle will serve also. Coffee and a cup to put it in is at the top of my list, propane coffee pots are available making one a viable choice.

A Photograph of a typical roadside assistance kit.

7)  Have an extra key in your pocket or wallet, as a matter of fact giving one to each member of the crew may be a good idea. The number of motorists locking themselves out of their cars while installing chains or helping someone else is surprising, imagine waiting for a locksmith to show up while waiting locked out of the car.

8)  Don't rush, allocate plenty of time to arrive at your destination, the unpredictability of the weather is again the deciding factor, we have no control over it. Start out early and pay attention to the weather predictions on the radio and the conditions around you.

9)  Use the 30% rule for fuel, keep at least 1/3 of the tank full of gas or diesel, when the level reaches the 1/2 level stop at the next fueling station and fill-er-up. Notably when traveling stretches of highway such as I-5 on the west coast, or I-80 east and west across this vast country. While at the service station ask about the local conditions and what to expect further down the road.

10)  Slow down, although snow chains do help they do not eliminate all sliding hazards, ice-glazed roads and the steel chain links compliment one another at the worst possible times. Avoid sudden stops, do not slam on the brakes, once a motor vehicle begins to slide on ice it is impossible to stop it, holding the brakes down may cause more severe skidding.

There is no "Good Enough" in the mountains, all equipment, and components
need to be in tip-top shape.

11)  Watch for heavy equipment, snow flurries limit our line of sight to the point of a range of mere feet. Snow removal equipment has flashing lights, however, with the limited visibility they may be obscured and not be visible at all. Other traffic on the road is even less noticeable, keep the headlights on, no need for the bright lights as the lows will be seen. Be observant, keep your head on a pivot, ask your passengers to help out, the more eyes the better. Drive slowly, there may be cars passing you, just let them, we will arrive safe, the speeders are showing their lack of experience driving in the snow.

12)  If the automobile stalls stay with it, conserve fuel while maintaining the warmth in the car, running the engine for 15 minutes then letting it rest for 1/2 hour is an effective pattern. Carbon Monoxide is a dangerous reality when stranded in the snow, make sure the exhaust pipe is not buried, keep it clear. While running the motor open a window, not completely down, one inch from the top will do but remember CO2 is heavier than air. It's heavier than air and can gather on the floor of the vehicle, don't run the engine with all of the windows rolled up tightly. The same practice when using a propane lantern is advisable as the flame will use up the oxygen in the cab.

A word or two about chains:

Road signs are erected about one mile from the chain checkpoint, that is the point to stop and install the chains, without them installed and attempting to cross the checkpoint will earn a fine.

When chains are installed the road signs for conditions change constantly and quickly, one requirement remains constant, the speed limit. Posted along the highway will be caution signs stating "speed limit, 25 mph", in some places they may read 30 mph.

Pull off the road to install the chains, do not stop in the roadway blocking traffic, a flat level surface is best. Remember the road surface is slippery, other drivers may not be able to see you, and it's possible to slip and fall in front of another vehicle.

Infographic explaining how to install snow chains.

Contractors not employed by the Highway Patrol or state install chains for a fee, they are not allowed to sell or rent chains. If you use the service write down the installers name, company name, and badge number, that information may be needed later for any misunderstandings.

When the time arrives to remove the chains drive beyond the signs designating the directive stating "End of Chain Control", technically stopping before it may earn a fine also.

Road conditions may be checked at these Caltrans numbers: 1-800-427-ROAD  (1-800-427-7623)

This Link leads to FEMA's tips on preparing for winter storms.

It may seem intimidating to read this list but it actually isn't when taken in a step by step method, starting to assemble the safety supplies one hour before setting out is a mistake. Plan ahead, most of the supplies recommended for inclusion in the trunk can stay there as a permanent survival kit. Commercial kits, or a kit constructed individually work equally as well, the critical task is to prepare for the worse and hope for the best, have supplies for longer than is expected. I am an advocate of a seven-day kit for each person, the most that can happen is there are some items left over, the worst would be if it was needed and is not available.

Thanks for reading and sharing my blog, when traveling from a perfect day into blinding blizzard precautions must be taken. With a bit of planning, emergency supplies, and self-awareness each trip will be successful, the main reason we go is to have an enjoyable time, after all. A little planning will not impact that all, other than adding to the enjoyment. Thanks again.

JacquesLebec EmergencyKitsPlus.com