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make sure your tires have sufficient tread before you embark on any journey; long or short. Pack a snow shovel or cardboard in the trunk in case you get stuck in the snow or ice. There is also a product advertised on television that goes under the name, Tow Truck in a Box. It is inexpensive and can be a lifesaver if you find yourself stranded in the middle of nowhere at 3:00 AM. Make sure you have a set of jumper cables on hand. Everybody should carry these througout the year, but they are especially needed during the cold months. In colder temperatures, batteries operate at a fraction of their marked power. If you spend 8 hours at work and it's 15 below zero outside, you may find that your car won't start at the end of your shift! It's a lot faster and cheaper to get a coworker to give you a jump-start than to call a tow truck/jumper service! It's a good idea to pack extra blankets in case you have to sit awhile before being rescued, and speaking of rescues, get a cell phone! This certainly beats what we had to do in earlier decades, which was to walk to the nearest pay phone. Finally, top off your gas each time it gets down to around half a tankful. You just may need to run that engine for awhile to get heat in the event you are stranded.

Driving in rain (provided the temperatures are warm) is much easier than doing so in snowy or icy weather. However, it should be noted that in a light rain or when it first begins to rain, the oils from asphalt and tires themselves can make the road surface slippery. In a heavy or long period period of rain, these oils will be washed off the pavement. Otherwise, you should still drive at slower speeds. Obviously, if you find yourself in a torrential downpour where you can't see 10 feet beyond the windshield, you should pull over until the rain subsides.

If you follow these basic tips and take your time getting to your destination, you can become comfortable and confident driving in all types of weather.

Learn more about this author, Patrick Sills.
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