How to: Winterizing vehicles save lives Published Oct. 17, 2008 By Airman 1st Class Alex Martinez 90th Missile Wing Public Affairs F.E. WARREN AIR FORCE BASE, Wyo. -- From quaint, partly cloudy weather to windy, snowy white-out conditions in minutes; that is Wyoming. In fact, that is the entire Rocky Mountain region and I-25 corridor. As the temperature falls and leaves change color, one's driving and automobile safety habits should change as well. Most would agree they do not want to become a statistic, for example, 21 deaths. According to the Wyoming Department of Transportation, in 2007 there were 21 snow and ice weather related automobile deaths in Wyoming. "The weather can change around here like this," said Troy Weaver, 90th Missile Wing Safety, as he snaps his fingers. "If you're educated on what to do while driving in nasty weather you can avoid getting seriously injured or even dying." There are safety tips that should be followed to ensure vehicles are winter ready or "winterized," and to ensure availability of the necessary supplies to survive in blizzard conditions for an extended period of time. "When you get in your car, the first things you do are put on your seat belt, turn on the ignition and check your mirrors," Mr. Weaver said. "You should add checking your winter survival kit to that list. If you winterize your car, you are potentially saving your life and others." The contents of a winter survival kit varies in quantity and depending on location, however, the all-encompassing necessities ensure you will be safer in any event: -Gas -Cell phone -Emergency Blankets. -Hygiene or sanitation pack -Non-perishable food -Drinking water -Flares or marker flags -First aid kit -Windshield scraper -Road map -Shovel Mr. Weaver said for Airmen who may think all the items are too expensive to collect, the five necessities are gas, food, water, a shovel and a blanket. The survival kit is encouraged to have in winter driving, but it will not be necessary if proper safety precautions are taken while winter driving, he said. Locally, the top winter driving hazards are snow, blowing snow, wind, fog and black ice. "Driving here is dangerous because we get young Airmen from states like California and Florida who may not be used to the winter conditions we have here," Mr. Weaver said. "If they don't know what they are doing, the situation could get nasty." The 90th MW safety office briefs first term airman center students every class to spread knowledge about winter driving safety. Mr. Weaver said winter driving safety knowledge knows no vehicle boundaries, to include 4X4 vehicles. "I've seen people fly down the highway in bad weather just because they have 4X4 vehicles," Mr. Weaver said. He said vehicles with 4X4 capabilities have no advantage in winter driving. It just means there are more wheels to control. The shifty weather of Warren and the surrounding location offer its members an extra challenge during the winter months, Mr. Weaver said. Take the proper precautions to make sure a car is safe and ready for anything, he said. HOW TO WINTERIZE A mechanic should check the following items on your car in order to winterize: Battery Antifreeze Windshield wipers Ignition system Thermostat Lights Hazard lights Exhaust system Heater Brakes Defroster Oil level