According to the Kitsap Sun, on December 27, 2021, there were ‘hundreds’ of cars sitting in the ditches when an Arctic blast snowstorm hit the county. There were also 25 crashes within 24 hours during the same storm. While no one was seriously hurt, people did spend the rest of their year getting their cars towed or repaired due to the weather.

Being Washington State, there is a good chance that history will repeat itself and cars will end up in ditches with the next big snow.

There are some things that you can do to help mitigate the chances of you being in an uncomfortable or dangerous situation.

Avoid a Crash

Obviously, the first way to avoid a crash is to stay home and not drive during bad weather, but there are always going to be times when it’s impossible to stay home – even in a snowstorm –, so here are some of the best ideas for avoiding a crash:

• Don’t use your cruise control while driving on snowy roads;
• If you skid, steer into the skid that way once you get your traction back, you won’t need to overcorrect your steering;
• Slowly accelerate and decelerate;
• Give the vehicles in front of you plenty of room – 8 to 10 seconds or more helps;
• 4WD and AWD do not help you drive on ice;
• Don’t crowd the snowplow;
• Ramps, bridges, intersections, and shaded areas are prone to ice;
• Always move over for emergency vehicles, maintenance, and construction vehicles;
• Watch for wildlife, especially deer;
• Teach teens how to drive in snow and ice;
• Slow down in chain-up areas;
• Know what your car’s traction control and ABS systems are capable of;
• When driving uphill, keep moving and don’t stop or hesitate

If You Must Drive

Here are some tips on how to make the best of it if you do need to get out on the road during a snowstorm or when the roads are icy:

• Plan your route and let others know where you’re headed;
• Check the pass conditions with WSdot.com before you leave;
• Make sure your vehicle is winterized;
• Warm up your car before you drive;
• Be aware of areas prone to black ice;
• Remove any snow or ice from your mirrors, windows, decks, and any sensors/cameras on your vehicle;
• Clear your headlights and taillights

Winterize Your Vehicle

If you haven’t already, get your vehicle ready for winter driving. There are several things you should do before winter comes like check your antifreeze level and battery power; add -30-degree rated windshield wiper fluid level and fill your gas tank. Check your windshield wiper blades to make sure they aren’t worn. If you don’t have tire chains, get a set.

When it comes to your tires, check your tread and be sure to use winter tires. If you’re using all-weather tires, your tread needs to be more than 2/32 inch tread. Check your tire pressure since it will drop when it is cold out. You should have a tire repair kit with you, too.

Kitsap Auto Outlet Service Department can help you winterize your car or truck, so give them a call or schedule an appointment to get ready for the winter weather.

Are You Ready for an Emergency?

If you are stuck in a ditch or in an accident, you should have several items with you that can keep you safe and comfortable while you wait on help. The first thing to do is not panic, which means you need to keep everyone calm. Be aware of your surroundings, and don’t leave your vehicle.

Here are the things you should have in your vehicle any time of the year, but especially when it’s snowing:

• Emergency First Aid Kit
• Cell phone with a charger
• Sand or kitty litter to help get traction in the snow
• Flares
• Jumper cables
• Ice scraper
• Flashlight
• Batteries
• Boots and gloves
• Extra food, fluids, and blankets for everyone

Put the flares out in front and behind your vehicle, and if you have an orange cloth or other bright cloth, tie it around the antenna. Keep your radiator free from snow. If you have an emergency system like OnStar®, you can use it to call for help.

Only turn your engine on when needed to warm up the interior after checking to make sure the tailpipe is clear. A blocked tailpipe can cause carbon monoxide poisoning.

Another tip is to know your cellphone’s capabilities. There are all types of apps available that will give your cellphone the ability to help you during an emergency. Always have your GPS tracking on when you are traveling during a snowstorm. This combined with apps from companies like AT&T can point out your coordinates making you easy to find in an emergency. There are even apps that will send an alert to emergency personnel if you run into trouble.

If your car is equipped with the latest technology, then you may already have a lot of apps available to you that will help you plan the weather and navigate around blocked roads. If you don’t have the latest technology, you might want to look at a new car. Kitsap Auto Outlet has a large inventory of vehicles that will help you navigate the winter roads of Kitsap County.

Check out our inventory or schedule your service department appointment to winterize your vehicle today.

There is nothing more exciting than the New Year; after all, it’s celebrated by dropping a ball in Times Square and setting off fireworks. It doesn’t get much more festive than that. There is the satisfaction of turning the pages of a new calendar and tossing away the old one. There is that promising list of resolutions that you may or may not get to, but at least on January 1^st, they all look possible. Then there is the moment when you take stock of your possessions and decide what to save and what to get rid of. One of the things you might be considering is getting rid of your old car and starting the New Year with a new set of wheels.

How do you know it’s time to buy a new car?

You might be ready for a new car if:

• The costs of repairs are more than it’s worth;
• It is a money pit that always needs something small fixed;
• It no longer works for the size of your family;
• The technology and safety equipment is outdated;
• Your friends refuse to be seen in it;
• Most importantly, you just want a new car

If you ticked off any of these items on the list, then you might be ready to start thinking about a new car.

What type of vehicle should I buy?

All you have to do is spend some time driving on WA-3 to know that there are many different types of vehicles on the road. Automotive designers take a lot of time developing cars and trucks to meet the needs of the owners, so when looking for a new car, think about what type of vehicle will meet your needs.

To help you, here is a breakdown of the types of vehicles and their uses.

Truck – Trucks are designed for work and play, and they come in a variety of cab sizes and bed lengths. No matter what year it is, trucks are the best-selling vehicles across the nation. Trucks have held the top three sales spots for years because they are practical. It doesn’t matter if you want to tow your dirt bikes to Bremerton Raceway for a weekend of camping, racing, and biking, or if you need a way to haul rocks and landscaping materials from a gravel pit, trucks are built to do these jobs for you.

All you have to decide is whether you need a short bed, a long bed, a club cab, a crew cab, or any other cab available. Some of the newer trucks even have split tailgates and step-ups for convenience. Kitsap Auto Outlet has all types of truck makes and models to choose from.

SUV & Crossovers – Families need vacations, sometimes away from each other, but it is always a good idea to have a getaway car. Of course, SUVs and crossovers are more than getaway cars; they make daily life easier, especially if you have kids and pets. The station wagon of the past has morphed into the SUV of today. The smaller liftbacks of the 1980s and 1990s have also gotten bigger as some SUVs still sport the lift gate while others have opted for swing gates or split gates.

No matter which type of gate you like, all of them make it much easier to load up groceries, pets, kids’ sporting equipment, and any other cargo you carry. If you love antiquing in Bremerton, you know you need a bigger vehicle.

The crossover is a car-like SUV, but the terms SUV and crossover are used interchangeably. Crossovers are generally built on a car platform and are lighter weight than an SUV, which uses a truck chassis and is heavier. Both are rugged and roomy, so if you have a big family, think SUV.

Passenger car – The passenger car is still popular even though it seems like every manufacturer has replaced them with SUV-style bodies. Passenger cars come in several body styles that include sedans, coupes, and sports cars.

A sedan is a four-door body with a trunk that is separate from the interior. A coupe is a two-door body with a sloped roof, and a sports car has two doors and is built for speed and maneuverability. If you love to drive, hit those mountain roads in a sports car.

Hybrid – A hybrid is powered by both electric power and a normal combustion engine. They are not plug-in vehicles since the battery recharges itself through regenerative braking. A true electric vehicle is plugged in and does not have a combustion engine. The term coined for the empty engine compartment is “frunk”.

Van –If you have a lot of family members that like to travel or you own your own business, a van offers plenty of space for people and cargo. Mini-vans may be a little smaller, but they still are quite useful when it comes to travel.

All of these vehicles will come in a variety of interior styles and materials. You will find luxurious interiors alongside cloth or vinyl interiors, and the technology varies based on the year of the vehicle you choose.

Updated Technology

Technology may not seem like an important thing when considering your next vehicle, but it’s more than how big is the infotainment screen. There have been many advances made in safety technology that combines radar and cameras to keep you safe. With lane-changing assist and front-end collision sensors, newer cars can help you prevent an accident from happening. When it comes to driving your family, these are important considerations.

Ring in the New Year by trading in your old car. Kitsap Auto Outlet have a large selection of cars and trucks of all types and sizes, so check out our inventory and come in and take a test drive.

Winter is upon us, and if you’re looking for something to do as the snow piles up and the wind howls, here are a few things that might help you pass the time between now and the next big Arctic blast that hits the Kitsap area.

Outside Activities

Ice Skating – There is just something about the snowy weather that makes you want to strap on a pair of skates and glide around an ice rink. Whether outside on a frozen pond or inside at a place like the Bremerton Ice Center, skating helps burn off that extra energy from being cooped up, work up an appetite and build leg muscles. Bremerton Ice Center offers public skating and skate rentals.

While many of the skiing, cross-country skiing and snowboarding locations are outside of the immediate area, there are several places around Kitsap County where you can buy snowboards and skis. Don’t miss a chance to go play on Hurricane Ridge in the Olympic National Park.

If you plan a trip to the park, make sure that your vehicle has been winterized. If you need to do that, call Kitsap Auto Outlet and make an appointment with their service department. They will get you ready for a road trip.  [I suggest linking to the winterize article here]

Bainbridge Island Ferry Terminal Beach and Poulsbo Marina – Take a trip along the shorelines at night to see what lives under the docks. Guided tours by Kitsap Beach Naturalists share all that they know about the nightlife of the ocean. If you miss this, then check out the Poulsbo Marine Science Center for other events.

State Parks are open during the winter –Kitsap Memorial and Illahee both offer year-round hiking to Anderson Lake. Other trails may be closed depending upon the time of the year, but Battle Ground Lake has camping all year long. The water supply may be turned off during the winter, but there is a winter water supply area. You can rent a cabin at Cama Beach all year long, too.

Don’t have a vehicle that can get you around the parks in the winter? Kitsap Auto Outlet has a large selection of SUVs and trucks that can get you out and about this winter. Stop by and take a look at their inventory. A new truck will make the adventure that much more fun.

Inside Activities

Roller Skating – For those who would prefer to strap their skates on and stay inside a building, roller skating is a great way to socialize without freezing your toes.

Planetarium – The Pacific Planetarium in Bremerton hosts a winter program that will make all preschool kids want to go to space. Older kids can learn about dinosaurs, and everyone – even adults – can plan a mission to Mars or visit the moon. Since schedules change, check with the planetarium before you go.

Japanese Gardens in the winter – Bloedel Reserve on Bainbridge Island offers a magical place to wander during the winter. If you get there in time (ends January, 3), the visitor’s center is transformed into a miniature town complete with trains. If not, then there is always a lovely waterfall, trestle bridge, and beautiful gardens to enjoy. The Winter in the Woods exhibit runs until January 9^th.

Western Washington Center for the Arts – Add some culture to your life with a trip to the theatre. December features A Christmas Carol, but 2023 starts with a Steve Martin-penned comedy featuring Albert Einstein and Pablo Picasso together in 1904 Paris. Cubism meets the theory of relativity. There are many other upcoming plays, as well as open auditions should you decide you want to try out for a leading role.

Of course, there are always activities like bowling at our local Hi Joy bowl or going to the movies at the Regal South Sound Cinema.

Ring in the New Year

Dancing and New Year’s Eve parties are just about everywhere, including The Roxy Theatre, the Tracyton Public House, and the Admiral Theatre, and if you feel like driving, there is a masquerade ball at Maynard’s Restaurant in Silverdale.

There doesn’t have to be a big party to enjoy a night out eating with family and friends. There are so many fine restaurants to choose from that it may be difficult to decide on one. From American grub to pub food to seafood to Chinese food they all can be found in Port Orchard’s local restaurants. 

Shopping

If you’re in the market for a treasure hunt, then find your way to any one of the antique malls that pepper the towns on the Kitsap Peninsula. In Port Orchard, Josephine’s Mercantile and Olde Central Antique Mall, Inc. offer hidden treasures amongst the many items brought in by independent vendors. You never know what you might find.

If you want to people-watch, you might want to drive to The Trails in Silverdale where you can wander in and out of the stores, but bundle up because this is an outdoor mall. For indoor people-watching, The Bellevue Collection (Bellevue Square, Lincoln Square, and Bellevue Place) in Bellevue, WA, offers shopping at some of the most unique stores, dining at over 50 restaurants, and entertainment like movies and bowling.  No matter what the weather, you could get lost in these shopping centers for hours and never notice it.

If you need a new car to bring home all of the things you bought while shopping, then don’t miss the deals from Kitsap Auto Outlet. They offer a wide selection of pre-owned cars, and their service department will help you keep your current car on the road. Stop by or call them for more information or to schedule a service appointment.