Freezing temperatures and cold weather may cause parts of your car to wear more easily than they may in other weather conditions. It can cause havoc in the performance of your car if you don’t give a maintenance session before winter season. This article discusses about how to prepare your car for winter.
1) Check for anti-freeze
This is the most important step when preparing your car for winter. Your car contains a 50:50 mix of water and anti-freeze. Make sure that the mixture is in the same ratio. Having less than 50% of anti-freeze and make your engine vulnerable to freezing. Many car servicing and repair centers check for this mixture or even you can buy a tester for checking this mixture.
2) Inspect your tires
Inspect tire pressure. In cold weather, the tire pressure tends to drop. Keep your tire pressure according to the manufacturer’s recommended pressure that will help you in handling your car easily and drive safer on roads. It also helps you save money by improving fuel economy.
3) Replace your wipers
Faulty windshields can have a huge impact on your ability to see in wet weather conditions. So, make sure that your wipers are in good condition. In case, your wipers are twisted, bent or are not able to clear the windshield properly, you need to replace them.
4) Check for windshield washer fluid
Visibility is one of the important factors to be considered when driving in wet weather condition. Salt build-up and precipitation can cause havoc in the functioning of windshield. Therefore, see to it that you not only check the condition of your windshield wipers, blades but also check the wiper fluid and if required fill the wiper fluid reservoir.
5) Consider snow tires
It is recommended to look for snow tires (winter tires) depending on the location you stay and the time you will be spending in snow. If the area you are living in gets a significant amount of snow fall, it is worth getting snow tires. These tires have deep groves that will provide more traction than all season tires. You will be more confident and feel safe because of the ability of these tires to control.
6) Make sure that you have an emergency kit in your car
An emergency kit well stocked can be life-saving if you find yourself stopped in the middle of the road. A proper winter emergency kit includes:
- One blanket.
- Extra warm clothes including boots, hats and gloves.
- Food and drinking water.
- A flashlight.
- Extra windshield wipers.
- A first aid kit.
- Windshield washer fluid.
- A bag of sand that will help you in giving extra traction if you get stuck.
Incorporating these tips to prepare your car for winter will help your car run smooth and safe throughout winter season.
