Anyone who lives in Carbon County knows that Interstate 80 is a beast of its own. Between the whiteout blizzards that can strike when you least expect them and the infamous, relentless crosswinds near Elk Mountain and Arlington, driving around Rawlins requires a vehicle that is 100% prepared.
When a severe storm hits, shutting down over 200 miles of I-80 and leaving motorists stranded, it serves as a stark reminder: In Wyoming, winter road prep isn’t just a seasonal chore—it’s a survival skill.
Whether you are commuting to the Sinclair refinery, hauling a trailer across the state, or just running errands in town, here is your ultimate guide to prepping your Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, or Ram for the harshest driving conditions in the West.
1. The Foundation: Tires and Traction
When the highway turns into an ice rink, your tires are the only thing keeping you on the road. High winds will try to push you sideways, and if your tires don’t have the proper grip, you will slide.
- Check the Tread: Wyoming law can enforce specific tire chain or mud-and-snow (M+S) tire rules during storms. Ensure your tread depth is well above the minimum requirements.
- Monitor Tire Pressure (PSI): Cold air drops tire pressure significantly. For every 10°F drop in temperature, your tires can lose 1 to 2 pounds of pressure, which affects handling and fuel economy.
- Consider Dedicated Winter Tires: If you drive a sedan or a rear-wheel-drive vehicle, switching to dedicated winter tires offers a softer rubber compound that grips freezing asphalt much better than standard all-season tires.
2. Power and Visibility: Batteries and Wipers
Getting stranded because your car won’t start in a freezing wind chill is a situation everyone wants to avoid.
- Test Your Battery: Freezing temperatures force your engine to work harder to crank over, while simultaneously draining your battery’s cranking power. If your battery is more than three to four years old, have it tested immediately.
- Upgrade to Winter Wiper Blades: Standard wiper blades get packed with wet snow and freeze into useless blocks of ice. Heavy-duty winter blades are wrapped in a protective rubber boot to keep them clearing your windshield through the worst slush.
- Keep the Fluid Full: Always fill your windshield washer reservoir with a fluid rated for -20°F or lower.
- FUEL FUEL FUEL: Fuel stations are few and far between. Fill up before you leave.
3. Battling the Blow-Overs: High-Wind Strategy
Rawlins is famous for crosswinds that easily top 50 to 60 mph. For high-profile vehicles like a RAM 2500 or a Jeep Gladiator, these winds require extra respect.
- Check Your Suspension and Alignment: If your steering alignment is off, fighting a 50-mph crosswind becomes an exhausting, dangerous wrestling match. Strong suspension components keep your vehicle planted.
- Know Your Vehicle’s Limits: If WYDOT issues a “Closed to Light, High-Profile Vehicles” warning, take it seriously. The stretch between Rawlins and Laramie is a notorious hotspot for semi-truck blow-overs all along that stretch and especially at Arlington and Cooper Cove.
“According to USDOT and WYDOT historical data, Wyoming sees over a hundred reported blow-overs a year, with severe single-day storms frequently forcing the Wyoming Highway Patrol to respond to dozens of crashed or toppled rigs along the icy I-80 corridor.”
4. Your Digital Lifeline: Activate Connected Emergency Services
Modern Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram vehicles come equipped with advanced technology designed to be your lifeline if things go south on the highway. Before the snow flies, make sure your brand’s connected platform (Ram Connect, Jeep Connect, Dodge Connect, or Chrysler Connect—or SiriusXM Guardian on older models) is fully activated.
Look up at your overhead console, and you’ll find two critical buttons:
- The SOS Button: If you slide off the road, get stranded in a whiteout, or experience a medical emergency where cell service is spotty, pressing this button connects you directly to emergency dispatchers. Crucially, it transmits your exact GPS coordinates to responders—a literal lifesaver when blinding snow makes it impossible to tell what mile marker you are near.
- Automatic SOS Call: Newer vehicles enrolled in these services feature impact detection. If an accident occurs and your airbags deploy, the system automatically calls for help and sends your location, even if you are unable to respond.
- The ASSIST Button: Don’t waste your cell phone battery waiting on hold. For non-emergencies—like a flat tire, running out of fuel, or needing a winter tow—pushing the ASSIST button links you directly to Roadside Assistance.
Tip: Many newer CDJR vehicles include up to 10 years of the Connect ONE safety package at no extra cost upon enrollment. Stop by our showroom if you need help getting your smartphone app paired and activated!
📦 The Carbon County Emergency Kit Checklist
If the gates drop and you find yourself waiting out a highway closure on I-80, having an emergency kit in your backseat or truck bed is non-negotiable.
| Item Category | What to Pack |
| Warmth & Safety | Heavy blankets or sleeping bags, extra gloves, beanies, and hand warmers. |
| Food & Water | High-protein, non-perishable snacks (jerky, nuts, energy bars) and gallons of water. |
| Tools & Power | A heavy-duty ice scraper, a small snow shovel, jumper cables, and a portable phone power bank. |
| Visibility | A bright flashlight, extra batteries, and a high-visibility safety vest if you need to step outside. |
Don’t Guess. Be Certain with Fremont Motor Rawlins.
You don’t have to tackle winter prep alone. At Fremont Motor Rawlins, we want to make sure you make it home safely every single time the weather takes a turn.
Bring your truck, SUV, or car into our Mopar Express Lane. No appointment is necessary! Our certified technicians will perform a comprehensive multi-point checkup, including:
- A thorough battery load test.
- Tire tread and pressure inspections.
- Fluid top-offs (including winter-grade washer fluid).
- Brake system checks.
Drop by 823 East Cedar Street in Rawlins today, or schedule a deep-dive service online to ensure your vehicle is Wyoming-ready.
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