Winter time driving is hazardous driving. Being fully prepared for the driving conditions the winter can bring can mean the difference between having a crisis and avoiding one. To help prepare you for winter-time driving, here are 10 items you should have in your car from an article by AOL Autos.
1. Blanket
Having a blanket is beneficial if you’re stranded and have to wait for assistance.
2. Snow shovel
A short-handled shovel can remove snow from around the wheels of your car if you happen to get stuck.
3. Flashlight
A water-proof flashlight is indispensable in case your car breaks down at night. Also, keep extra batteries.
4. Hand warmers
Hand warmers are useful for keeping your hands warm if you’re trying to change a tire or fix an engine outside in the cold.
5. Matches
Matches can be useful if you need to start a fire for heat.
6. Bottles of water and a few protein, snack bars.
Having snacks readily available is crucial in emergency conditions, especially without knowing how long it might take for help to arrive.
7. Siphon Pump
If you run out of gas, having a siphon pump will allow you to get gas from another vehicle if someone offers to help and get you back on the road.
8. Lightsticks
Lightsticks are inexpensive and can usually be found at dollar stores. They can be used as a light source or to wear in case you have to change a flat tire, fix your engine or work on another area of your car’s exterior at night.
9. Flares
Flares can be used to surround your car if it’s stalled, so other motorists are aware of you. Flares should be in your car year-round.
10. Whistle
A whistle can be used to alert someone you need help if you can’t yell.
#6 Bottles of water and a few protein, snack bars.
Water will freeze in the car your better off with Gatorade.
According to the label, 8 oz. (240 Ml) of Gatorade contains 14 grams of sugar, 110 mg of sodium and 30 mg of Potassium. One assumes the sodium and potassium are part of chloride salts.
I couldn’t find a chart for sugar but a couple of experiments I read indicate to me that the freezing point of Gatorade would be lowered to about 31.5 degrees Fahrenheit by the sugar.
Glucose lowers the freezing point nearly twice as much as cane sugar and I think it’s glucose in Gatorade.The much smaller percentage of salts might actually lower the freezing point more.
I’m not an expert but I think it would be better then water but either way trying to drink frozen water or, drinking a frozen slushy Gatorade isn’t a good idea ether, it’ll drop your core body temp quickly. You should warm it up before you drink it but I think it would be easer to warm up slushy Gatorade then frozen water. Just saying.
Thanks, Scott! Gatorade is a good idea, or people may not want to leave bottled water in their car but bring it with them for trips. We appreciate the insight!