3 Steps to Take to Prepare Your Vehicle for Kansas Winter

September 10, 2020 · 3 min read

Winter is strenuous for your vehicle, and taking the time to prepare it for winter can make all the difference when it comes to you and your family's safety. There is no such thing as being overprepared when driving through the winter months, especially when you live in Kansas' northern climate. Here are several steps to take when preparing your vehicle for the bitter Kansas winter.

Stock Your Vehicle

During the winter months, you should stock your car or truck with essential winter items you usually wouldn't consider during other seasons. Even if you never have to utilize these additional items, it is always better to have them in case of an emergency. Here's a simple list of essential things to stock your car with during winter:

An ice scraper, snow shovel, and a broom.
Winter blankets and coats in case you are stranded.
Kitty litter, sand, or traction mats in case your car loses traction in the snow.
Food, water, a cell phone charger, any medication you are taking, and a first aid kit.
Flares, flashlights, emergency markers, and jumper cables.

Invest in Snow Tires

Tires are your vehicle's most valuable asset when driving in the winter months in Kansas. Tires provide the traction necessary to keep your car firmly planted to the driving surface. When your tires are worn, cracked, or otherwise compromised, they won't perform well in cold weather and can leave you stranded or cause you to have an accident. When preparing your vehicle for winter, your tires should be of the utmost concern as you check them for tread depth, signs of wear, cracks or punctures, or any other abnormalities.

If you suspect that your tires may not perform up to winter driving standards, you will want to invest in new tires. Snow tires are perfect for winter driving as they are designed to have as much traction as possible when driving in inclement weather conditions. Some people have a set of winter wheels they swap out yearly before winter, and this is an option to consider for your vehicle.

Keep Your Gas Tank Full

One thing you don't want to happen is to find yourself stranded in the snow and ice with an empty tank. When traveling through the harsh Kansas winter, it is imperative to keep your gas tank as close to full as possible. This will allow you to run your vehicle and the heat in ten-minute intervals for every hour you are trapped. When you implement this method and have access to the winter blankets and coats you have already packed, you will be protected from the cold for an extended time. Remember to fill up often when driving during the winter months.

These are several steps you can take when preparing your vehicle for driving through the Kansas winter months. It's best if you can avoid driving when weather conditions are calling for inclement weather. If you must travel, having your vehicle prepared, planning ahead, and providing yourself extra travel time can help keep you, your family, and other passengers safe.

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Aug 26, 2022 in Local Area

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The state parks near Topeka, KS are great destinations for outdoor fun seekers. Read through our blog to see which fantastic natural areas are worth checking out in your new or used vehicle! more Clinton State Park The 1,500-acre Clinton State Park at 798 North 1415 Road in Lawrence stretches out along the north shore of the Clinton Reservoir, known for its sparkling clear water, lovely swimming beach, and excellent bass, bluegill, channel catfish, walleye, and crappie fishing. The reservoir is ideal for paddling and boating, and the Clinton Lake Marina, with its floating restaurant, has all the supplies and equipment rentals you need. Miles of scenic multi-use nature trails wind through the park and the adjacent 9,200-acre wildlife area where you can encounter white-tailed deer, waterfowl, wild turkey, and a variety of songbirds. The campground has nearly 500 campsites with water and electricity near restrooms with showers. Your four-legged friends are welcome to experience the park with you. Perry State Park The 1,250-acre Perry State Park at 5441 West Lake Road in Ozawkie spans over forested hills along the shores of the 12,500-acre Perry Reservoir. The reservoir is popular with anglers who come here to catch channel and flathead catfish, largemouth bass, green sunfish, saugeye, bluegill, crappie, sauger, and walleye. The extensive wetlands and marshes attract vast numbers of waterfowl in the fall and mallards, ducks, and wild turkeys. It’s an excellent spot to explore the Kansas wilderness and catch glimpses of white-tailed deer, coyotes, and raccoons on miles of intertwining hiking, biking, and horseback riding trails. The park offers a choice of four campgrounds with electricity and water hookups and 350 scenic primitive campsites close to restrooms with showers. The Hobie Cove campground has sites on the water’s edge with spectacular. Pomona State Park Pomona State Park is a small 490-acre natural area at 22900 South Highway 368 in Vassar on the shores of the calm and tranquil 4,000-acre Pomona Lake. The lake boasts the full-service Lighthouse Bay Marina with four boat ramps and is a popular destination for boating, paddling, and skiing and the best crappie and catfish angling in Kansas. Here you can relax on the swimming beach, play volleyball, horseshoe, and disc golf on the nine-hole course, and enjoy scenic picnics on the banks of the lake. The campground has 140 campsites with water and electricity and over 200 primitive sites. It’s a favorite in the region because of the shaded campsites and cozy atmosphere. Before you hit the road to enjoy all the exciting activities in these great parks, drop by Cable Dahmer of Topeka in Topeka, KS to get your automotive needs taken care of by our expert GM dealership team!

Jul 29, 2022 in Local Area

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Jun 17, 2022 in Local Area

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