Winter car and work-truck kit, checked before the first snow

Your bot builds a winter kit and a pre-winter checklist for each vehicle, then sends a short heads-up before winter storms: fill the tank, check the kit, share your route.

What it does

Winter roads take a toll. NHTSA counts 320 fatal crashes and an estimated 22,293 injury crashes in 2023 that happened in snow or sleet. Its winter tips start with what to carry: a snow shovel, broom and ice scraper; sand or kitty litter for traction if you get stuck; jumper cables, a flashlight and warning devices like flares; a first aid kit; blankets; and a phone and charger, water, food and any medicine you need. The National Weather Service's winter storm kit adds a tow rope, a tool kit, extra dry clothes, high-calorie food that won't spoil, and paper road maps, since phone batteries run down. Before winter, NHTSA suggests checking tire pressure against the door-frame label (pressure drops as it gets colder) and making sure tread is at least 2/32 of an inch. Have a mechanic check the battery, charging system and belts, because cold weather takes more battery power to start an engine. Fill the washer reservoir with winter fluid that has de-icer, replace worn wiper blades, and check the coolant and lights, including trailer lights. Keep the tank close to full (the Weather Service says it helps keep ice out of the tank and fuel lines), or keep an EV plugged in overnight. Before a trip in bad weather, check the forecast and road reports (the Weather Service notes every state has a 511 road and traffic line) and tell someone your route and when you expect to arrive. If you get stuck, NHTSA says to stay with the vehicle, make it easy to see with bright markers and the dome light, and run the engine only now and then to stay warm, with the exhaust pipe cleared of snow to avoid carbon monoxide. It also reminds parents that bulky coats keep car-seat harnesses from fitting snugly; buckle kids in thin layers and put coats or blankets over the harness. Your bot keeps one kit list per vehicle, from the family car to a work truck that's on the road all day between job sites, reminds you to check it in early November, and texts a short heads-up when the forecast shows a winter storm on your route.

Copy-paste prompt

Be my winter vehicle kit and storm heads-up helper, using NHTSA's "Winter Weather Driving Tips" and the National Weather Service's winter storm preparation page as background.

My vehicles: [e.g. "family minivan; work truck (gas), on the road between job sites all day"]. Where I drive: [town or ZIP, usual routes]. Kids in car seats: [yes, ages / no].

1. For each vehicle, make a kit checklist: shovel, broom and ice scraper; sand or kitty litter; jumper cables; flashlight with extra batteries; flares or warning triangles; first aid kit; blankets; phone charger; water and non-perishable, high-calorie snacks; any medicine we need; tow rope; small tool kit; extra dry clothes, hats and gloves; paper road map. Mark what I already have when I text it back.
2. Make a pre-winter checklist for each vehicle: tire pressure from the door-frame label and tread at least 2/32 inch (including the spare); battery, charging system and belts checked by a mechanic; winter washer fluid with de-icer; wiper blades; coolant; all lights, including trailer lights.
3. Remind me on the first Saturday of November to go through both lists, and again on the first of each month through March to restock snacks and water.
4. Each morning from November through March, check the National Weather Service forecast for [town or ZIP]. If there's a winter storm watch, warning or advisory, or freezing rain, send a 3-line heads-up the night before: fill the tank (or plug in), check the kit, and text someone my route and arrival time. Remind me to check 511 for road conditions before I leave.
5. If I text "stuck," reply with only the steps: stay with the vehicle; put a bright marker on the antenna or window and keep the dome light on; clear snow from the exhaust pipe and run the engine only now and then to stay warm; call for help.
6. If kids ride with us, add the car-seat note: thin warm layers, harness snug, coats or blankets over the top.

Keep messages short. Never message me while I'm likely driving.