How to prepare your vehicle for a winter storm

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WAND) — Central Illinois residents are preparing for possible snow and winter storms.

Experts have a few tips on how you can ensure your vehicle is prepared and ready to take on the weather, like keeping an emergency kit in your car at all times.

"That emergency kit should include your cellphone charger, jumper cables, warm clothing for all passengers, some extra bottles of water and snacks, flares, and kitty litter in case you get stuck on some ice," said AAA spokeswoman, Molly Hart.

Many consumers have also recently purchased electric cars. But according to Julio Crispin, owner of Crispin Auto, they might not be the most reliable during extreme weather.

"Electric range in electric cars goes down almost 50%, sometimes 60%, just based on temperature changes so when you predict like, 'hey I have the range to drive 200 miles,' that's not necessarily true in extreme cold weather conditions," explained Crispin.

If you have to travel, another way to ensure safety is by having someone drive with you or making sure someone has your location at all times.

"Country roads with very little exposure, with low cell signals, that's super dangerous. So it's super important to let everybody know if you don't get to a certain destination, that you're going to be there so prepare to be without some heat for a prolonged period of time," said Crispin.