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What to look for in a car that you will be using in winter weather
The best cars for driving in the winter
Winter driving tips
Conclusion
 

What to look for in a car that you will be using in winter weather

If you are in an area where winter-weather driving is something that you will be doing often, you should consider getting a car that is properly equipped for such driving. The biggest thing that you should look for is all-wheel drive. Now, contrary to popular opinion, this will not help you brake any better in snowy conditions.

What all-wheel drive will help you with is to start the vehicle moving in the snow. When all of the wheels are moving it is more likely that you will end up gaining enough traction to start your car moving. As much as that is not as important as being able to brake properly in the snow, it still is quite important.
There are other things to consider too. One such thing is ground clearance. The higher up your car is off the road, the better it will perform during winter weather. This makes sense because the less amount of contact your vehicle has with the snow, the less snow can affect its performance.

Finally, you should see which cars come equipped or can come equipped with snow tires. You can always have snow tires put on a vehicle that does not have them but it much more convenient to get a car that already has them.

Things that you do not need to look for anymore are anti-lock braking and electronic stability control. These have now been required in all vehicles for years. Anti-lock braking is your brakes ability to “pump” themselves. So, you have probably heard the expression “pump the brakes” at some point in your lifetime in reference to driving in the snow. Well, with anti-lock brakes the car “pumps” the brakes for you, so, when you brake in the snow, just keep your foot down on the brake until the car stops.

Electronic stability control is a series of sensors that put small amounts of braking on specific wheels when those wheels are perceived to be skidding. This is always useful, but it is particularly useful when you are driving in the snow.
 

The best cars for driving in the winter

In 2020 and beyond you can rely on the following cars to get you through some serious winter driving:

1. 2019 Honda CR-V – This car has to option for an upgrade to all-wheel-drive as well as available upgrades that include auto emergency braking, high beams, heated seats and lane keep assist.
2. 2020 Kia Telluride – The Kia Telluride has all-wheel-drive and is great for off-road driving. As a result, it is also good for driving in the snow. The SUV has a bunch of safety features and has add-on options for heated seats and steering wheel.
3. 2019 Mazda CX-9 – The CX-9 by Mazda is an SUV with almost ten inches of ground clearance. It also has the option for all-wheel-drive. It also offers a litany of safety features as well.
4. 2019 Toyota RAV-4 – The Toyota RAV-4 has an option to come with all-wheel-drive and has multiple driver’s assistance features which include auto emergency braking and auto high beams.

Winter driving tips

When you are driving in winter weather, you should keep the following driving tips in mind:

• Keep it slow – The last thing that you want to do when you are driving in snowy weather is to speed. Braking and maneuvering become exponentially more difficult when you drive too fast in the snow.
• Keep a larger than normal distance – You should keep a bigger than normal following distance when you are driving in the snow. This will allow you more time and distance for braking.
• Clear the snow off your car before you leave – This important both for yourself and for other drivers as well. The snow can fall off the roof of your car or can kick up from the hood and temporarily lessen your vision of the road. This can also happen to another driver if they are behind you and snow flies onto their windshield.
• Have a way to contact someone in case of an emergency – Always make sure that you have your phone with you and that it is charged. If you get stranded, you will need to call for help. Waiting for someone to come along might work on a busy road, but you cannot rely on it.

Conclusion

You can always winterize your current car but if you are in the market for a new car, then why not consider one with an abundance of features that will help you when you are driving in the snow? If you live in the northeast or in Alaska, it would make sense to get a car that will be able to get you from place to place safely during some inclement winter weather.

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Winter roads in Alaska
Car technology will make your drive easier
Final word
 

Winter roads in Alaska

Alaska’s roads and highways can be very treacherous during more severe inclement weather. You will need all of the help that you can get when you are driving on these roads in harsh winter conditions. This will include winterizing your car and its tires. Even after that, you should really consider avoiding driving during any winter storms until they have ended, and roads have been completely cleared.

If you do drive during inclement winter weather in Alaska, it is critically important that you do so with extreme caution. Always drive well under the speed limit and use your brights. If you have all-wheel drive be sure to put that into use as well. Finally, make sure you have an emergency plan of action, emergency supplies, and a way to summon help in case you get stranded or into an accident.
 

Car technology will make your drive easier

What many people fail to realize is that advances in car technology are making winter weather driving much easier and safer. So, if you are in the market for a new car in Alaska or have a car with the compatibility to have some of these features added, you should consider getting a car with them or having them added.

This technology includes rearview cameras which will help you maneuver your car in the snow if you are trying to do something like back into or out of your driveway. There are also things like fuel injection systems which will help your car start and run at maximum efficiency in tough winter weather. Key FOB tech has also made driving in the winter a bit easier and more comfortable by allowing you to warm your car up with the click of a button from your home.

Future car technology will help your winter drives even more. At the moment, the technology is being developed for multiple autonomous driving features that can operate efficiently in inclement winter weather conditions. However, it still might be a few years before the technology is readily available.
 

Final word

Current car technology can make a big and important difference during your drive on Alaska’s winter roads. It can be the difference between you getting to your destination safely and ending up stranded on the side of a desolate highway. No matter what, you should always have an emergency plan of action as well as emergency supplies in your car.

Remember, you can contact Alaska Car Transport at any time if you need your car shipped to or from Alaska. You can call us at (907) 331-3100.

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Terrestrial and satellite radio
CDs and DVDs
Other forms of in-car entertainment in Alaska
 

Terrestrial and satellite radio

The easiest form of in-car entertainment to use in Alaska is the radio. You have two primary options when it comes to your car’s radio in Alaska: regular radio (otherwise known as terrestrial radio) and satellite radio.

There are various terrestrial radio stations for you to enjoy in Alaska. These include country music, rock music, talk, top 40 hits and more. Keep in mind that “regular radio” includes both FM and AM radio. FM radio is much more popular and widely used than AM radio these days. FM radio tends to be music programming while AM radio tends to be talk and sports coverage programming. Both AM and FM radio do include a substantial number of commercials.

Satellite radio is completely different than terrestrial radio. Satellite radio has no commercials for its music programming channels and considerably less commercials for its talk programming and sports programming channels. It will, however, cost a monthly subscription fee. Right now, there is only one satellite radio provider available in the United States, SiriusXM. Unfortunately, SiriusXM is only available for streaming in Alaska rather than as a straightforward service. You can learn more about that here.
 

CDs and DVDs

Other forms of in-car entertainment in Alaska also include CDs (compact discs) so long as you have a CD player installed in your car. These days, CDs and CD players are much rarer in vehicles. However, you can still order whatever CDs you want online. In terms of getting a CD player installed, you have several options. These include independent automotive sound stores as well as stores such as Best Buy.

You can also get a DVD player installed in your vehicle in Alaska. However, these are obviously only for your passenger’s entertainment. Also, only newer vehicles made in the past ten years or so will have the capability to have these installed. If you do get DVD screens installed in your car, they are good for entertaining children that you have in the backseat.
 

Other forms of in-car entertainment in Alaska

Other forms of Alaskan in-car entertainment will include anything that you can connect to the car with an auxiliary connection. Primarily, this means your phone. By connecting your phone to your car, you will be able to use streaming services such as Spotify to play music through your car’s speakers.

In-car Wi-Fi is also another form of available in-car entertainment in Alaska. The Wi-Fi will allow you to connect your phone to various apps and streaming services that you will be able to use hands free while driving or normally while you are parked or pulled over. Remember, regardless of the form of in-car entertainment that you are using while you are on the road in Alaska, if you are driving you must always keep your hands on the wheel and your eyes on the road to maintain complete safety for you and your passengers.

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Car suspension basics
How vehicle suspensions come into play in Alaska
Conclusion
 

Car suspension basics

Your car’s suspension is the overall sum of parts that connect the vehicle to its wheels. It is responsible for keeping the ride smooth and absorbing bumps in the road in order to avoid too many jolts and too much movement inside of the car while driving. This system of parts is comprised of parts such as springs, ball joints, shock absorbers, control arms, sway bars and more.

The suspension system in your car will prevent multiple issues. It will greatly improve the alignment which is the ability of the car to keep its wheels in the direction that the driver is steering. It will also prevent the car body from being too low to the ground as well as preventing unnecessary wear and tear.
 

How vehicle suspensions come into play in Alaska

No matter where you are, having a reliable suspension system will be crucial to being able to drive safely and comfortably. However, in situations where road conditions are less than ideal, a suspensions importance becomes even greater.

This is definitely the case in Alaska where harsh winter conditions can make the roads quite treacherous to traverse in a car. During the winter in Alaska, roads can easily accumulate several inches of snow and ice on the roads in the matter of just an hour or two.

That is exactly why your ability to steer, keep your car body as high off the ground as possible and avoiding the jolts and shock from a rough road is so important in Alaska. If you have a bad suspension when you are driving in Alaska during inclement winter conditions, the odds of you getting stuck in the snow or driving off the road will increase dramatically.

If you are not sure whether or not your suspension is ready to tackle a potentially tough Alaskan winter, you should get your car serviced and specifically mention to your mechanic that you want to have your suspension and all of its components checked. If anything is amiss or needs repair do so as soon as possible.
 

Conclusion

Many people do not know the first thing about their car’s suspension system. That fact is surprising because of how important your suspension system really is. It is not only important to the function of your car but also to your own safety and comfort while you are driving. In Alaska, your car’s suspension is even more important than it would be normally due to the possibility of particularly snowy and icy roads.

If your suspension is up to par and you are ready to take on Alaska’s winter roads with your vehicle, do not spend days driving all the way there. Instead, have your car shipped to Alaska with Alaska car Transport. You can get a free quote and book your shipment today by calling (907) 331-3100.

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Your car’s mirrors and what you should use them for
Why safety is so important when you are driving in Alaska
Final word
 

Your car’s mirrors and what you should use them for

There is a reason that it is illegal to drive without any of your car’s mirrors. They are essential to driving safely. Without them, you will not be able to see what is behind you or to the side of you without taking your eyes off the road in front of you which is obviously very dangerous.

When you are driving, you will make use of two types of mirrors, your side-view mirrors and your rearview mirrors. Both type of mirror has a specific function in terms of making you aware of what is around you on all sides as you drive.

Your sideview mirrors will allow you to see what is on either side of your car at all times. However, there will be a blind spot when you check these mirrors. So, be sure that you always check your blind spot as well.

Your rearview mirrors will obviously allow you to see what is behind you. There is not a blind spot with the rearview mirrors unless you are backing up in which case the area under your rear window within a few feet of the back of the vehicle will be a blind spot.
 

Why safety is so important when you are driving in Alaska

The winter weather in Alaska can severely complicate driving. This means it will be less safe to drive during certain inclement weather and that directly translates to taking a maximum amount of caution when you are driving in poor road conditions in Alaska. This will include the frequent and proper use of your mirrors.

The first thing you should do in terms of your mirrors when you are driving in winter weather conditions in Alaska is to make sure that your sideview mirrors are clear of any snow or ice before you start driving. Then, when you get into your car you should make sure that your mirrors are adjusted properly so that you know that you can see to the rear and sides of the car with just a glance.

Then when you are driving you need to know when you should be checking your mirrors. If you are changing lanes, you should check the sideview mirror that corresponds to the lane you are merging into as well as your rearview mirror. The sideview mirror to see what is currently in the lane that you are attempting to merge into and the rearview mirror to see if there are any cars behind you in your current lane also trying to merge into the same lane at the same time. Do not forget, when you use your sideview mirror prior to a lane change, always turn your head quickly to check your blind spot.

Your mirrors will also come in handy when you are trying to back up for any reason. In particular, use your rearview mirror when you are backing up. However, if you are backing up and close to other cars, you will need to use your sideview mirrors as well.

Finally, when you are maneuvering your car during a three-point turn or when you are parallel parking, you will also need to use both your sideview and rearview mirrors.
 

Final word

Your car mirrors are more important than people tend to give them credit for. This holds especially true in Alaska where driving in inclement winter weather can make driving as hard as it can be. Do not make it any worse on yourself by forgetting to clear off your sideview mirrors or adjusting your rearview mirror as soon as you get into your vehicle. Finally, when using your mirrors never neglect to check your blind spot.

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How you can get your car to Fairbanks
What you can see in and near Fairbanks with your car
Tips for having a car in Fairbanks
 

How you can get your car to Fairbanks

There are two primary ways for you to get your vehicle to Fairbanks, Alaska. You can drive it all the way there or you can have it shipped there. If you choose to drive your car to Fairbanks, Alaska, you should be aware of a few things first.

The first is that you will need to drive quite a long distance. If you drive from Seattle, Washington, the trip will take over forty hours of driving and will be over two thousand miles. Now imagine how long it will take to drive to Fairbanks from Los Angeles or New York. You will also need to drive through Canada to get there. This means you will need a passport and you will have a considerable wait at the borders twice during your trip.

That is why we recommend shipping your car to Fairbanks instead. This way you can take a relaxing and much quicker flight there rather than driving for several days. This will also give you more time to enjoy the great city of Fairbanks.
 

What you can see in and near Fairbanks with your car

Fairbanks does not have the tourist reputation that Anchorage, Alaska has. In the end, there really is no reason for this. Fairbanks is a wonderful place to visit and live. There are a bunch of wonderful sights to see and places to visit.

One such place is the Fountainhead Antique Auto Museum. Here, you can check out some incredible antique vehicles as well as see them driven around the grounds of the museum. The museum hours are fairly limited but admission only costs twelve dollars.

Another great stop in Fairbanks is the UA Museum of the North. This museum showcases tons of incredible exhibits from world war artifacts to prehistoric animals and dinosaurs. Admission only costs sixteen dollars.

On top of those great museums you will also be able to visit a few animal sanctuaries if you wish. This includes the Running Reindeer Ranch. Here you will be able to go on tours of the Alaskan forest where you can see some real live reindeer.

There are several other very notable points of interest in Fairbanks, Alaska. This includes a brewery, hot springs, a river walk and a viewing point of the transatlantic pipeline.
 

Tips for having a car in Fairbanks

Having your car in Fairbanks is, by far, the best way to be able to get around the great Alaskan city. Here are a few tips for owning a car in Fairbanks, Alaska:

• Prepare for the winter roads – Winters in Fairbanks can bring tons of snow and ice. So, make sure that your car and your tires have been properly winterized.
• Know where you are going if you are going to leave the city limits – Alaska is quite a large place. It is, by far, the largest state in the country. If you venture out of the city you could end up lost on the long highways of the state. This could potentially cost you hours of your time.
• Parking – You can usually find parking on the street on Fairbanks without too much trouble. However, on weeks of large events in the city such as dog sled races you might need to look elsewhere for parking. There is a parking garage where you can park if you need and it will only cost about ten dollars for the day. The garage is located near Lacey and Noble Street.