5 winter must-have items for your car

Winter can be an intimidating time of the year for drivers. Instead of worrying about the next big blizzard, take steps to ensure you'll be safe in your car. It's always important to prepare for the worst road conditions to ensure top safety during your commute. Take the stress off yourself during the remaining days of the snow season and equip your car with these winter must-have items.

1. A full tank of gas
To be on the safe side, Carchex blog suggested always having a full tank of gas during the winter. Sometimes, the frigid temperatures can cause your fuel tank to freeze, which can keep your car from starting. Keeping a full tank of gas at all times can help prevent this from happening.

2. A phone charger
Nothing is more stressful than worrying about what you'll do if your phone dies during a harsh winter blizzard. Avoid having anxiety and invest in a car phone charger. This is a simple way to keep you calm during a snow storm and ensure your phone will be good to go in a time of need.

Invest in a car phone charger to keep your phone from dying in a crucial time of need. Invest in a car phone charger to keep your phone from dying in a time of need.

3. Winter tires
Winter tires might cost you a pretty penny, but Bankrate said they're worth it when driving in harsh weather conditions – especially if you live somewhere that sees a ton of snow. Investing in winter tires can save you time and money in the long run, which would've most likely been spent waiting on and paying for a tow truck.

"Sprinkling kitty litter under your tires can improve traction."

4. Sand or kitty litter
Kitty litter might sound like a strange item to keep in your car, but it works just as well as sand does in an icy situation, according to the Farmer's Almanac. If your car get lodged in snow or stuck on an icy road way, sprinkling sand or kitty litter under your tires can help improve traction. The extra weight of keeping the bag in your trunk can also add pressure to the back tires, which can help you out of a sticky situation.

5. A first-aid kit
Keeping a first-aid kit in your car is extremely important during the winter in case of an accident. It's hard to say when help will arrive during a snow storm, so being able to clean up and bandage any minors cuts until someone arrives can make you feel more comfortable in the situation.

If you're looking for a new ride to get you through the rest of the snow season, check out NJ Auto Junction for a variety of great quality pre-owned cars.