- Battery
- Antifreeze
- Windshield wipers - try a pair of winter wipers that help keep ice from collecting on the blade.
- Windshield washer fluid reservoir is full
- Ignition system
- Thermostat
- Lights
- Flashing hazard lights
- Exhaust system
- Belts and hoses
- Heater
- Brakes
- Defroster - front and rear
- Oil level

1. Make sure you have some basic supplies in your car in case you get stuck:

- Cell phone
- Flashlight
- Bottled water
- Windshield washer fluid
- Non-perishable snacks
- Blanket
- First aid kit
- Matches
- Rain poncho
- Small shovel
- Jumper cables

2. Keep your gas tank close to full. If you get stuck or stranded, the engine will be your only source of heat. And you don't want to have to worry about conserving fuel...you want to stay warm. Make sure you keep a window open a crack if the engine is running to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.

3. Know your car. You should know what your car can and cannot do in the snow. You should know if it has antilock brakes and traction control, how they work, and how they help.

4. If you really have to drive in the snow--get four good snow tires or all-weather radials and make sure they have adequate tread. Even if you have a front-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive car snow tires are the single best thing you can do. They not only help get you started, they also increase your traction.

5. Keep a windshield scraper in your car and invest in a substantial snow brush and ice scraper for ice and snow removal.

6. Plan trips carefully. Listen to the radio or call the state highway patrol for the latest road conditions.

7. Dress warmly. Wear layers of loose-fitting, layered, lightweight clothing.

8. Carry food and water. Store a supply of high energy "munchies" and bottles of water.

1. Clear off the entire car, not just a little peephole in the windshield. Make sure every glass surface is clear and transparent by using a snow brush and/or ice scraper. Your side view mirrors and all lights should be brushed and cleared as well. Clean the snow off the rest of the car because it will either slide off the roof and cover your windshield as you're slowing down, or fly off onto someone else's windshield and obstruct their view.

2. When driving in the snow, do everything slowly.
Driving in snow, sleet, and ice is very treacherous and even if you maintain control of your car, not everyone else will. Do everything slowly and gently. In the snow, the tires are always just barely grabbing the road. Accelerate slowly and gently, turn slowly and gently, and brake slowly and gently. To do this, you have to anticipate turns and stops. Leave plenty of distance between you and other cars. Rapid movements lead to skids and loss of control.