5 On Your Side: Prepare your car for dangerous winter weather, stock these items

Dead batteries, slick roads, accidents and breakdowns: winter weather can be hazardous for drivers, especially now as the winter storm forecast for the coming weekend (Jan. 30-Feb. 1, 2026) is shaping up to be more a snowstorm for most of central North Carolina.

2026-01-06

Much of North Carolina is under a winter storm watch from Friday afternoon through Sunday afternoon. The National Weather Service is expecting 3+ inches of snow along with wind gusts of 25 to 35 mph.

Governor Josh Stein on Thursday declared a state of emergency, urging North Carolinias to prepare for the accumulating snow, high winds, bitter cold and possble power outages.

As temperatures drop and snow sticks, roads can quickly get slippery.

In 2023, about 100,000 crashes involved sleet or snow conditions. And even if you don’t see snow on the road, watch out. Black ice can form when moisture freezes on the asphalt, and it’s often invisible to motorists.

Michael Crossen is the lead auto test technician at Consumer Reports. His advice: Winter driving safety starts before you hit the road.

You want to make sure that your tire pressures are set, you have decent tread on your tires, and that you have good windshield wipers and fluid washer in the car. Overall tread depth and tire pressure are critical for maintaining traction in the snow.

Check your tires

• Air pressure: Make sure your tires are filled to the factory-recommended levels. Cold weather can cause tire pressure to drop, which affects handling and safety.
• Tread depth: Inspect your tire tread to ensure it’s not worn down. Worn tires can be dangerous on slippery roads, so if your tread is looking thin, consider replacing your tires before the weather hits.

“An easy way to check the tread yourself is to get a quarter,” said Discount tire Manager Jeb Brookshire. “Stick it in the tread if you see all of Washington’s head, you’re in a minimum tread depth.

“That’s important because that’s basically your footprint on the road. So when the tire doesn’t have enough tread, then it’s not going to do its job the way it should.”

• Winter tires: If you live in an area prone to frequent snow and ice, consider investing in winter tires. They’re designed to provide better traction in cold and slippery conditions.

Windshield wipers

• Position your wipers: Put your windshield wipers up overnight or while at work to prevent them from freezing to the windshield. Ice buildup can damage the wiper mechanism if you try to use them while frozen.
• Check your blades: Make sure your wiper blades are in good condition. Worn-out blades will just smear snow and ice around, reducing visibility. If they need replacing, it’s a quick and affordable fix to make.
• Windshield washer fluid: Top off your windshield washer fluid with a winter-specific formula that won’t freeze in low temperatures.

Clear your windshield

• Ice scrapers: If you don’t have an ice scraper, a credit card can work in a pinch. It might sound strange, but it’s effective.
• Rubbing alcohol: You can also use a solution of rubbing alcohol to melt ice on your windshield. (Disclaimer: While this method is popular, always test on a small area first to ensure it’s safe for your car.)
• De-icing spray: Consider purchasing a de-icing spray to quickly and effectively remove ice buildup.

Battery check

• Test your battery: Cold weather can reduce battery performance, so check your car battery’s charge and ensure the terminals are clean and secure. If your battery is older, consider replacing it to avoid getting stranded.
• Jumper cables: Keep a set of jumper cables in your car in case your battery dies. Alternatively, a portable jump starter can be a handy backup.

Getting your car ready is only half the battle.

You also need to make winter-smart decisions once you’re behind the wheel. In general, slow down because you’re always battling physics. If you slow down from the start, you're less likely to lose control, but, if you do lose control, the outcome and the consequences are greatly reduced.

More tips to get ready for winter weather driving

If you do encounter a slick spot, stay calm, look where you want to go, and steer where you want to go. Maintain firm pressure on the brake pedal and let your car’s antilock brakes do the work. You’ll feel the pedal pulsing under your foot, which means they’re working.

Your car has a lot of built-in systems that will help you if you encounter a skid or a slide, and you want to trust those systems.

Fuel up

• Keep your tank full: A full gas tank not only adds weight to your car for better traction but also ensures you’ll have enough fuel to keep your car running if you get stranded.
• Prevent fuel line freeze: If temperatures are expected to drop significantly, you can add a fuel line antifreeze product to your gas tank to prevent fuel from freezing.

Related: Winter in the Triangle: How to prepare your family, car and home

Previous: Snow and ice threaten NC roads Friday night: Here's how to stay safe

For electric vehicle drivers, cold weather brings another challenge: shorter range. You could lose up to 30% of your overall vehicle range in freezing temperatures. So, you're going to want to plan ahead.

In the end, the best way to stay safe in winter conditions is also the easiest: if you don't have to go, stay home. And Consumer Reports has one more tip: keep an emergency kit in your car. The right supplies can help you get moving again or make it safer and more comfortable if you’re stuck waiting for help.

Prepare a car emergency kit

If the worst happens and you get stuck, having an emergency kit can be a lifesaver. Include:

• A blanket
• A charger for your cell phone
• Flashlight with extra batteries
• Snacks
• Water
• Extra gloves, hats, and hand warmers
• A first aid kit
• A small shovel for digging out of snow
• Cat litter or sand for traction if you get stuck on ice

If stranded, run your car for 10-15 minutes at a time to conserve fuel while staying warm. Make sure the exhaust pipe is clear of snow to prevent carbon monoxide from building up inside the vehicle.