MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Freezing temperatures can wreak havoc on your car battery, and some people may get stuck in the cold. AAA and Shelby County safety officials are urging you to have a winter-ready kit in the back of your car, just in case.
But these items aren’t cheap. WREG went out to see how much it will cost, and what you need to prioritize.
The message from the experts is “be prepared.” They want you to keep your trunk stocked with things you might need in a cold weather emergency, but it comes at a cost not all families can afford.
David Crook said, “Its a good idea, it just doesn’t work for everyone.”
Experts recommend getting one of each of these:
• Bag of sand, salt, or cat litter
• Flashlight with extra batteries
• Window washer solvent
• Ice scraper
• Cloth or roll of paper towels
• Jumper cables
• Gloves, hats and blankets
• Non-perishable snacks
• First-aid kit
• Basic toolkit
We did the math, and this list could run you up to $80.
Eric Goad with Barton’s Car Care took a look at this list and said, “May be a bit excessive.”
Goad says these are great tools to have if you know what you’re doing, but if you’re no wiz under the hood, he’s got a much shorter list for you to keep.
“A cellphone, a phone list, and a scraper,” he said.
Goad says the cheaper and safer option is paying for roadside assistance, which runs you about $3 a month. His best advice: get your battery checked. In fact, most garage’s will do it for free.
“Two to four years. If it’s after two years, you are on borrowed time,” Goad said.
It’s a piece of advice Crook said he lives by in this kind of weather. He’s working to stay safe, without spending too much in the process.
“With what could happen with ice and snow. I keep cat litter. You know, something cheap,” he said.
Simple tips to keep you safe and warm without spending a fortune.