One of the best parts of military life is the opportunity to see the world. Sometimes that means figuring out hurricane plans when you move to the coast, and other times it means learning how to navigate mass transit in another language. One thing military families have to consider is winter weather and its effect on their vehicles. This is especially important if you move from a warm-weather area to a cold-weather area in the fall or winter and don’t have a lot of time to prepare.
Why winterize your vehicles?
Automobiles can come in contact with various stressors, depending on the weather conditions. Conditions in cold-weather climates can impact your car's appearance, often due to the salt used on roads. More importantly, cold temperatures and snow or ice make winter tires a great idea. Winter tires stay flexible in cold weather, provide , grip and have special tread patterns that channel away winter precipitation. These tires have better traction, decrease stopping distances and give you more control on icy and snowy roads. If you are not a native northerner, these are all important assets when learning to drive in these winter conditions.
Winter tires are the first stop, but don’t ignore the rest of the car. You’ll want to make sure you have new wiper blades, enough waster fluid, antifreeze and an emergency kit. Here are a few additional items to keep in your car as well.
- Snow brush and ice scraper
- Flashlight with batteries
- Reflective warning triangles or flares
- Empty gas can
- Sand or ice melt
- Jumper cables
- Blankets and extra clothes
- Snacks and water
Where to go for the best experience
If this is the first time you’ve lived in a winter climate, you’ll want to make sure you consult someone you trust for winter tires. When looking for a tire vendor, consider a location that is convenient to where you live, offers a military discount, can service larger vehicles, and is known for being an honest business. I’ve been going to Discount Tires for years because they offer an exceptional repair and replacement policy that is honored at any location. So if my tire goes flat during a road trip, I can visit any Discount Tire location. They also let me schedule an appointment online, which works well for my busy schedule.
When I learned that a Korean War Marine Corps veteran started Discount Tire, all of the reasons I liked them made sense. The employees are polite and efficient, and they take the extra time to make sure I’m comfortable in my vehicle before leaving. They work quickly so that I can get back on the road. And they are affordable. I highly recommend Discount Tire to anyone in need of new tires or repairs.
Their philosophy of “Be honest, work hard, have fun, be grateful, and pay it forward,” fits my lifestyle as well as appeals to the military spouse within me. Discount Tire has over 1,200 locations (including our America's Tire stores in N.Cal/PA,) and many are open on weekends and later into the evenings.
Start winter on the right foot.
Winter weather comes when you least expect it, and it will always affect you in the middle of a TDY, deployment or similar situation. When you take the time to winterize your car before the weather hits, you are prepared for anything. Winterizing your car with winter tires from Discount Tire gives you peace of mind, allows you to protect your loved ones and takes one more thing off your list as you head into the holiday season.
A Veteran-Founded Company Ready to Serve You. Prepare for winter with new tires from Discount Tire — where honesty, service, and a military discount meet peace of mind.
