Seattle and Bellevue Drivers Winter Weather Driving Checklist

1. Check Your Battery. Your battery has a more difficult time starting your car in the colder winter weather than the warmer months. A bad battery can leave you stranded in your driveway; or worse, in the middle of nowehere. 
2. Check Your Cooling System. Coolant is a liquid and when winter weather is in effect, coolant may freeze and expand which can severely damage your vehicle. The most typical thing mechanics will do is to flush your coolant and replace it with new coolant that will work better on your engine. 
3. Have an Emergency Kit in your car. This can include warm blankets, hats, coats, as well as food, water, a flashlight, and batteries. A common trend these days is to also include a backup cell phone battery or charging system that runs on alkaline batteries. This may become life or death if you get stranded in places along I-90, SR2, or other more rural and rugged roadways. 
4. On long trips, let people know you when and where you are going. This could become important if emergency crews need to put on a search to look for you and your vehicle. 
5. Carry chains. Many Washington state roadways require chains or 4WD (or both) if weather is sufficiently bad along many of our state's mountain passes. 
6. Make sure you have enough gas in between fueling stops.