Drive safely this winter

The winds of winter are blowing. Whether there's snow outside your window or you're planning a visit to a cold-weather city, preparing for snowy driving means taking that extra step for safety. Here's how:

What hosts need to do

You care about your vehicles and the people who drive them. Take that commitment to the next level and prepare your cars for winter driving.

Equip your fleet

Adding a few things to your vehicles doesn't just make them safer—it also helps make your fleet more appealing to guests when they're browsing in the Getaround app.

Here's a quick breakdown of some items to consider:

• Snow tires. Help guests drive your vehicles with confidence, even on icy roads.
• All-weather floor mats. Make guests comfortable and keep your vehicles clean. Durable mats keep your vehicle fresher and potentially reduce your cost of maintenance.
• Snow brush and shovel. Pop a brush in each of your vehicles so guests can remove snow and ice from the car without damaging it. A shovel will help them get in and out of parking spots after snow storms.
• Winter weather emergency kit. Include items like foldable emergency blankets, flashlights, jumper cables, and spare gloves. If anything goes wrong, your guests will be prepared.

Check your vehicles

Routine winter maintenance doesn't take long. Once you've added winter essentials to your fleet, make sure to keep up with two easy but crucial routines:

• Regularly check and refill windshield wiper fluid. Don't leave guests stranded without a way to clear their view.
• Check the battery level. A dead battery in the dead of winter is unpleasant at best, and potentially dangerous. Take a quick look at the battery level regularly, especially in cold temperatures. We're here to help: your Getaround ConnectⓇ device can monitor battery level.

Want even more tips? Check out our advice for prepping for a big winter storm.

What guests need to do

Everyone's responsible for driving safely at all times, but especially during challenging weather conditions in the winter. As a Getaround guest, there are plenty of steps you can take to stay safe during your trips this season:

Prepare for your trip

A little planning goes a long way, especially in bad weather. Here are a few things to do before you get behind the wheel:

• Consider booking a 4WD or AWD vehicle. Cars like the Nissan Rogue and Honda CR-V offer a great balance of drivability and traction in treacherous weather. A car built for winter can make your life a lot easier.
• Plan your route. Know where you're going when visibility is low and you don't want to get lost. Plotting your path in advance with a maps app is always a good strategy.
• Bring emergency supplies. You might think it's overkill, but simple items like an emergency blanket and flashlight can help you get out of a roadside jam.

Drive smart

Once your trip begins, commitment to safety becomes more important than ever. Here are some helpful tactics to help you on your way to being a better winter driver:

• Remove snow from the car. Pretty straightforward, right? Use a snow brush to remove snow from every part of the car—not just the windshield. Don’t forget the roof!
• Let the car warm up before you drive. Give it a few minutes when the weather outside is frightful.
• Check tire pressure. Properly inflated tires are an effective and often overlooked safety tool, and cold temperatures can affect pressure levels. Check yours before you start driving, and inflate them at a nearby gas station if necessary.
• Slow down. Cold temperatures bring unpredictable driving conditions. Ice can be impossible to spot, and other drivers might be driving erratically. Let yourself take the drive a little bit slower for safety.

*In the winter (and all year round), if you're ever in an accident or find yourself stranded while on a trip, call 911.


Winter is the perfect season to get out, explore, and appreciate experiences that only happen when the days are short and the air is cold. With these tips, you can do it all safely.

Let's drive.