2011-02-06

Cars & Canadian Winters

Today's topic doesn't actually classify as a perk or pleasure as it's...well...NOT.  But I was giving some thought to surviving winters in Canada and when I added up the items we need just to be able to drive our cars, it all seems rather ludicrous.   And as I like all things ludicrous, I just had to share.  Here's my list:


1.  Snow boots, gloves and a toque  - so you don't lose your digits to frostbite and/or die from hypothermia.


2.  A snow shovel - so you can dig out your car and clear a path down your driveway.



3.  Lock De-Icer - to melt the ice from the door lock so your key will fit in and you can open your car door

Motomaster Lock De-Icer

4.  Block Heater  - to keep your engine warm enough through the night so it will start for you in the morning.



5.  Jumper Cables - for when you're battery is dead because you didn't use your block heater.

 


6.  Antifreeze - keep the fluids from freezing
7.  Heater/Window Defroster - for when your built-in unit just isn't enough.

8.  Ice Scraper/Snow Brush - to scrape off the ice and brush off the snow.






(AND NOW YOU'RE READY TO LEAVE THE DRIVEWAY)

9. Non-freezing Washer Fluid  - to wash off the slush that passing vehicals splash on your windwhield.  Can also be used in place of #8, depending on the thickness of the ice on the windshield.



10.  Winter windshield wipers - to try to prevent the ice from building back up on the windshield.


11. Snow tires - to prevent your car from skidding on ice or getting stuck in snow.


12.  Snow shovel - (again!) - in case your snow tires just weren't enough and you end up stuck in a snowbank. 

(Notice - this guy forgot his shovel but in a fine example of Canadian ingenuity, is using his hockey stick)




14.  Bag of sand/salt or kitty litter (depending on personal preference)   - in case the snow tires and shovel weren't enough to free your car.


15.  Tow rope - in case your snow tires, shovel, and bag of salt couldn't free you from that damned snowbank.



16.  Emergency Blanket - in case your snow tires, shovel, and bag of sand didn't help and there's no one around to tow you out of that son-of-a-bitch of a snowbank.  Should find yourself in this predictament and you neglected to remember #1.....then you're f***ed.



Leave a comment and tell me what you think of my list.

14 comments:

  1. so true, I decided last year to get a snow blower to make winter mornings easier, still have to shovel a path to the garage to get to the blower, get it started, let it warm up and then out I go, and try not to forget to have the gas can in the garage full (which i didn`t last week)so I walk to the gas station with my little gas can so I can finish blowing the driveway to get my car out. It`s not just ludacris, it`s insane, or maybe it`s just me:)

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  2. Michelle - you make me laugh! And it's not just you, I think we're all a little insane to live like this.

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  3. Kara - your list is a very good reminder. It does add a lot of time to a trip to make sure that all those things are in the car. Oh, yes, you may want to add emergency food supplies and water! Almost everyone has a cell phone which is another essential, especially for winter driving.

    Alberta

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  4. Alberta - you're right - I should have added emergency food supplies, water and a cell phone. The list grows!

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  5. How about some candles

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  6. Bondo - yes! and matches..

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  7. Hubby would be proud of you and your list...personally I'd like some extra warm furry boots and a screw cap bottle of wine added to it to see me through a night if i broke down (obviously not if I were driving - a nice hot flask of cocoa would do)
    we're out of the snow and into fog and rain - yeah!
    Stay safe.
    Carol

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  8. Very informative post. I absolutely love those red boots - my favourite colour and as I'm a farmer, I spend most of my time in boots.

    Found you through Friday blog hop.
    CJ

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  9. LOL, Hockey Stick!! We get hit pretty bad here with snow in NE Ohio, but I'm sure not quite as bad as you guys!! Luckily I think it's gonna be in the 40s next week and some of this snow should melt! Following now from Java's hop!
    Michelle
    http://www.heartfeltbalancehandmadelife.blogspot.com

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  10. That's AMAZING to an Aussie like me ... how do you ever fit anything (or anyone) else in the car?!?!?!

    Sounds like you need a visit downunder to sunny OZ where blizzards, snowstorms, sleet and ice are virtually unknown!! But we have our own list for OZ-specific hazards ...

    Have a wonderful weekend!!

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  11. Carol: Yes! I forgot about the wine! Silly me...

    Crystal: You see nice red boots - I see boot cut questionably low so the snow might get in!

    Michelle: Finally someone commented on the hockey stick! It was my favorite part of my list ;)

    Red Nomad OZ: In all honesty, I don't actually carry all those items in my car - I'm more of a 'take-my-chances' kind of gal. And Australia sound mighty nice right now.

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  12. LOL. I was telling my husband about the hockey stick story last night!

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  13. That's AMAZING to an Aussie like me ... how do you ever fit anything (or anyone) else in the car?!?!?!

    Sounds like you need a visit downunder to sunny OZ where blizzards, snowstorms, sleet and ice are virtually unknown!! But we have our own list for OZ-specific hazards ...

    Have a wonderful weekend!!

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  14. Michelle - you make me laugh! And it's not just you, I think we're all a little insane to live like this.

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