How to prepare your car for wintry mix heading to Central Virginia

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- As the wintry mix nears central Virginia, it’s important to have your car ready for anything that comes your way.  And it’s better to do it now rather than later.  

“The calendar still says ‘fall,’ but winter is making an arrival early this week here in Virginia," said AAA spokesperson Morgan Dean. “You want to have sand or kitty litter or traction mats in case your wheels are stuck in the snow. An ice-scraper, a snow shovel, a snow brush, all to get all of that snow off your vehicle.”   

Dean also recommends a jump box or jumper cables.  

“Batteries do not like cold weather," he said.

In the chance you get stuck in your car, having supplies to keep you warm is crucial.

"Having an extra jacket, a hat, gloves, blankets for you and everybody in the vehicle can really, really make a difference if you can’t run that heater to keep that car warm," he said.

It's also a good idea to fill up on gas now so if you get stuck, you can have your car on for longer with the heat.

You should also have some water and snacks packed along with a tool and first aid kit. If you get stuck, you need signals that make you visible.  

“Having a warning triangle, electronic flares, flares to put around your vehicle too," Dean said. "You want to be as visible as possible if you are stopped along the side of the road stranded in a snowstorm.”  

If you have to be on the road, ‘know before you go.’ Know the forecast, give yourself extra time to get to your destination so you can go slow and stay further away from cars in front of you.   

Remember to practice gentle steering and braking, but not too much at the same time. This could cause a spinout.