Life Focus: Around Buffalo

The weather forecasters are calling for six to twelve inches of snow on top of the three feet already on the ground, the sharp, icy winds seep through the cracks of everyone's homes and before dinner you head out to shovel the driveway for the second time that day. At times, living in Buffalo can be as difficult as living in a frozen tundra.

To battle a typical winter in Buffalo, with or without four-wheel drive, students are faced with concerns of keeping their car functioning when inclement weather makes the roads difficult to navigate.

Jayce Grefrath, a senior civil engineering major, was driving back from Holiday Valley with his sister last winter. They were driving down a hill a little too fast for the road conditions, and attempted to turn left, but the van kept going straight. They slid right into a snow bank.

A full tank of gas and a cell phone helped Grefrath and his sister get through two hours of waiting for AAA.

Anna Gossin, a senior English major, hadn't driven her car in a week. Heavy snow fell during that time and her car became buried. By the time she dug it out and tried to drive it, the battery had died.

AAA came to her rescue, and she learned the hard way that she should keep her car active so her battery can be recharged.

To avoid or assist in situations such as Grefrath's and Gossin's, there are many useful tools and methods to winterize your car. Here are a few tips to consider before you venture out unprepared and find yourself stuck in a snow bank.

Prepare an emergency or safety kit.

The number one items to have in the backseat or trunk are an ice scraper and snowbrush. Look for an ice scraper with a metal blade over plastic, which can break easier.

Some other useful things to keep handy are a flashlight with working batteries, jumper cables, a blanket, a shovel, an extra pair of gloves and hat, as well as a small bag of salt. Also consider purchasing collapsible orange plastic cones to put around your vehicle to alert motorists.

"I do make sure I have blankets and an emergency bag in the trunk in case I need it," Grefrath said. "I also am going to get a shovel to put in there because you never know when you'll be stranded on the Interstate 290 or something."

It is also a good idea to load the car up with good ice-battling liquids, such as de-icing windshield washing fluid and antifreeze. These are both available for relatively low cost, and range from $4 to $8 at most stores, respectively.

De-icing windshield fluid is specially formulated with ingredients useful in melting ice, defrosting and protecting against re-freezing. Antifreeze is handy in preventing freeze-ups, overheating and boil-overs. Ask or look at your owner's manual if you're not sure where each goes in your car.

Some people like to keep food in their emergency kits.

"My emergency kit consists of water, peanut butter cookies, flashlights, blankets, a plastic collapsible shovel, extra oil and some pliers," said Spencer Schofield, a resident of Buffalo and a UB alumnus.

Not car savvy? There are a number of emergency kits prepackaged at any auto store. Firestone offers a kit with jumper cables, a flashlight, batteries, a send help sign and electrical tape for $19.99.

Car maintenance.

Besides safety, keeping a car in top condition is also important.

"For the winter, it would be a good idea to have your fluids changed and to get the tires inspected to check the treads," said Todd Fisher, a managing partner for Firestone Complete Auto Care. "Snow tires aren't necessarily a must have but are always better than all-season tires."

Alfred Chen, a junior mechanical engineering major, has his own ideas for getting his car through dreary winters.

"I usually give my car a good wash and wax before the snow starts," Chen said. "Once it gets cold, I'll let my car warm up for a few minutes before I drive it."

Besides a good wash and wax, rinsing the car with some water from the hose sporadically throughout the winter is a good idea to get rid of dirt and salt accumulated from driving in rough conditions. It can help protect the paint and body of the car.

Always make sure to have at least half a tank of gas during the winter months. It is not only practical, but it will also add extra weight, which will help prevent smaller cars from sliding.

If in doubt, bring your car to an auto store for a "winter check." Firestone will inspect the lights, belts, fluids, battery, brakes and tires for $19.99.

Join an emergency auto club.

Joining an emergency auto club like AAA or OnStar can become costly up front, but allows for peace of mind and is cheaper than having your car towed for $300.

If a membership is too costly, at least learn the basics to help you in any emergency. It may be beneficial to learn how to change a tire and the car's oil.

Keep a jack and narrow slab of wood in your trunk to lift the car up high enough to remove the tire. (Jacks run about $25 to $40 at any auto store.) It is also important to have a spare tire or donut tire on hand.