UMaine winter car care: a how-to guide
By Kathryn Busko
2/20/24
Confused about the winter parking ban? Watch this video.
What are the keys to caring for your car?
The University of Maine Parking and Transportation Services created a flyer and a webpage to help students and faculty prepare their cars for winter. Here are the takeaways.
Build a kit to keep in your car:
1. Container of salt, sand, or non-clumping cat litter
Salt and sand sprinkled on the ground create friction to help stuck cars get free of ice and snow.
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​2. Shovel
After a snowstorm, or if you slide off the road, a shovel can help dig out your car.
3. Windshield brush and scraper
This is used to scrape ice and snow off windshields, lights, and roofs. In Maine, it is illegal to drive on public roads with ice and snow on your car, so this is not only a safety concern, but a legal one.
​4. Tire pressure gauge
Cold air is denser than warm air, so tires are more likely to go flat in the winter. This tool can help you stay on top of your tire pressure.
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5. Flashlight
Winter months bring long nights. When the sun sets at 5:00 pm, a flashlight is always a good idea.
​6. Spare cell phone charger
Don’t get caught unable to call for help!
7. First aid kit
According to the Red Cross, your first aid kit should have (among other things): adhesive bandages, cloth tape, antibiotic ointment, antiseptic wipes, aspirin, nonlatex gloves, and tweezers. Click here for the complete list.
8. Multi-tool
It's always a good idea to have an assortment of tools on hand. Multitools can contain a knife, screwdriver, pliers, etc.
9. Tow straps
A tow strap strings two cars together. If one is stuck in the snow, it can be pulled out by the other.
10. Tire jack and lug wrench
These are two tools used to change tires.
11. Jumper cables or a portable battery charger
Your car battery is more likely to die in the winter because of the cold. Having these on hand can save you a headache. However, if you are caught out, UMaine Parking Services also offers free jump starts.
12. Roadside assistance info
You don’t have to have roadside assistance, but it is a guarantee that if you are stranded, you can call someone to provide a jump start, change a flat tire, or tow your vehicle. It is often offered through your car insurance or credit card company.
13. Spare gloves and a hat
These will help prevent frostbite or other cold-related injuries and illnesses if you are stranded in the winter.
14. Spare cash in your dashboard
Spare cash is always helpful in an emergency, especially for buying gas.
Photo By: Kathryn Busko
Q&A about Buttercup, the Parking Pup
with her owner, Meredith Bryant, Parking and Transporation Manager
1. How old is Buttercup?
She is 2 years old on 2/28 (next Wednesday).
2. What breed is she?
She is a Golden Doodle.
3. How long has she been at Parking Services?
She has been here since she was 10 weeks old and is here when I'm here.
4. Is she the mascot?
She's the adoptive mascot as she is in the office and everyone loves her. She attends different events around campus as well.
5. What is her job on the day-to-day?
When not sleeping and playing with her tennis balls, she loves hugs and snuggles. She loves to greet people.
6. How did she come to be on the marketing materials?
Since she is around the office so much and had her photos done for other flyers, we had an animation made in her likeness as well. We hope that she will have a Buttercup's corner on the website for tips and other FAQs and whatnot. How can you not love her, she's such a good girl!
Here are some other tips and tricks to winter car care:
1. Move your car around
This helps prevent it from becoming stuck in the ice and snow. Your car battery also drains more quickly in the cold, so starting your car frequently can increase the chances that your car will start when you need it to.
2. Don’t run on empty
The winter is not a good time to be stranded without gas.
3. Plan extra time
The conditions of the road are variable in winter, so planning for the unexpected is necessary.
4. ​Get an occasional car wash
Road salt can cause the undercarriage of the car to rust. Getting a car wash, especially one that cleans underneath the car, can help prevent some of this damage.
UMaine Parking promotional materials featuring Buttercup.
Photo By: Kathryn Busko
For those who don't want to keep track of all this, or want to make an environmentally friendly choice, here are alternatives to winter driving:
1. Walk
For on-campus destinations, this is a great way to build exercise into your day.
2. Carpool
A fun way to decrease, or even eliminate, the need for you to drive in the winter.
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3. Ride the Bus
For more information about the Community Connector, click here.
Every UMaine parking lot is labeled. Be aware of the rules, especially with regard to the winter parking ban.
Photo By: Kathryn Busko