Colorado Winter Roads Ahead? Here’s Your Car Survival List

If you live in Grand Junction, Delta, or Montrose, winter road trips from Powderhorn to Vail are a part of life. Traveling through the mountains during the winter can mean icy roads and an icy car, too.

It’s a good idea to run down a winter checklist for your car before the real winter weather arrives. Keep scrolling to discover which items you should add to your car now for a smooth, safe, and less stressful getaway.

LOOK: 14 Items To Keep In Your Car Before Winter Arrives in Western Colorado

Winter is right around the corner in western Colorado and now is the time to start thinking about your car's winter checklist. We have 14 items you'll be so glad you put in the truck of your car before winter arrived. 9 of these items are considered essential and the other 5 are things you'll be really glad you have with you this winter.

Gallery Credit: Wes Adams

Start with the basics — Your Car’s Winter Health Check

Erin Mitchell

Imagine a pre-flight sequence before you head off into the high country. AAA says to check the following before winter. Tire tread, tire pressure, battery, wiper blades, windshield solution, and antifreeze all need to be checked. If you don’t know how to verify these items on your vehicle, ask. In Grand Junction, places like Big O Tires and Discount Tire can help you run through many of these safety checks. Knowing you are good to go can save you from real trouble.

Stock Pp — the Must-have Winter Car Kit

SEASTOCK

Gotta love Colorado life. The scenery’s incredible, but most of it sits way out in the middle of nowhere. In summer, you prep for flats and overheating; in winter, it’s shovels, jumper cables, traction aids, and snow chains. Cold-weather travel means digging that gear out and packing the essentials. It gets easier with time—most trips don’t need everything, but knowing your gear makes Colorado living a whole lot smoother.

Smart Habits for Snowy Mountain Drives

Resources from CDOT are a big help year-round. From live cameras to the chain-law updates during the winter, the COtrip app and COtrip.org are solid resources for travel basics.

You can play it safe by driving slower than you think you need to, using low gears on descents. Forget about cruise control if you see signs of winter on the road. If you do get stuck, stay with your vehicle. It will likely be your best shelter. Remember, mountain passes and high-elevation routes are seasonal. Know your route and your optional detours before you head out.

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MORE: 12 Ways Colorado Prepares For A Winter Storm

If you have ever had to wait out a winter storm in Colorado you know how difficult it can be if you are caught unprepared. Ice and snow can mean you are stuck in place until it melts, or at least until you can dig your way out. We ask you what things Colorado residents do to prepare for a winter storm.

Gallery Credit: Wesley Adams

NEXT: 15 Signs That Mean Extra Winter Snow In Colorado

Hoping for a cold and snowy winter? By paying attention to these indicators, Coloradans can get an early sense of how the upcoming winter might play out.

Gallery Credit: Wesley Adams