Winter is a beautiful season where everything is white, Christmasy, and magical. But for many of us who know how burdensome the winter season can be especially for drivers and commuters, you know that you have to get your car ready before the first snowflake falls.
Tips to Ensure Your Car’s Safety and Condition during Winter
The harsh winter weather can cause great damage to your vehicle’s engine and body if you’re not careful. Follow these simple winter car maintenance tips that you can do in your own garage to ensure your car is in the best shape!
- Check your tire’s pressure.
The first step to getting your car ready for the winter is to check your tire’s pressure. Make sure your tires are inflated to the recommended tire pressure. If you don’t know what your recommended pressure is, check the door jamb of your vehicle. You should find a small sticker with the information on it!
2. Check your car’s battery.
Another important winter car maintenance tip is to check the battery for corrosion and cracks. If you notice any corrosion, bubbles, or pitting, then consider it as a sign to change your batteries.
Make sure you have good batteries before the winter arrives. You don’t want to get stuck in the middle of an icy road, this can be really dangerous not just for you, but for other drivers as well.
3. It’s time to switch to winter tires.
Winter tires are designed to grip the road in snow and ice. It’s an important winter car maintenance tip that you have to follow to ensure safety on the road. Winter tires are made of softer rubber, and it has special studs that provide traction better than summer tires.
Moreover, winter tires have a different tread pattern than summer tires and they usually have deeper grooves that help channel away water so you can drive better in wet conditions.
4. Winter wipers work best in the winter.
Wiper blades should also be replaced at least once a year, it’s an important winter car maintenance tip that you should not miss. In the winter, you’ll want to make sure that you have an appropriate wiper blade on your car. Winter wipers are made of hard rubber that is more durable and thicker than summer wipers. These special wipers are also coated with a water-repelling substance so they glide easily across ice and snow without sticking or smearing your windshield!
5. Check your car’s defroster and heater systems.
Another important winter car maintenance tip is to ensure your heater and defroster are working properly.
Before you start your car, make sure your defroster is working. If you can’t see through the windshield, try adjusting it manually. If that doesn’t help, check again later and see if anything has changed.
6. Have an emergency kit in your car’s trunk.
Winter is the most dangerous time to drive so you want to make sure you have an emergency kit with you on the road.
Have a flashlight and first aid kit, flares, blanket, and water (ideally not less than one gallon). It’s also ideal that you bring non-perishable food like canned food, jumper cables, an extra cell phone, a battery, and a power bank just in case you get stranded.
You may also want to include duct tape or pliers (for jump-starting) and a set of screwdrivers. Store it all in the trunk; that way you’re prepared if you end up having to walk several miles to find help after being stranded on the side of the road during winter weather or at night when temperatures drop below freezing.
Especially if you are traveling a long distance in the winter, make sure you have your emergency kit up-to-date before you go!
7. Keep your gas tank at least half full throughout the winter season.
Another practical winter car maintenance tip to follow is to always keep your gas tank at least half full throughout the winter season. Keeping your tank at least half full will prevent the fuel from freezing in your tank which will make it difficult to start up again.
During the winter months, gasoline expands as it gets colder—so keeping your gas tank more than half full should help reduce the chance of ice forming in its bottom.
Car Emergency during Winter? Call a Reliable Tow Truck Service for Roadside Assistance
Your car is very likely to break down in the winter because of the extreme weather. So, following these simple winter car maintenance tips will help save your car and even your life. In the winter, it’s important that you not only take care of your vehicle but also how you’ll get home if something goes wrong on the road. Take the necessary steps and precautions to ensure a safe and comfortable ride even during the cold season.
For roadside emergencies and car problems brought by the extreme cold weather, Tow Truck Cheap is ready to serve you. Call us at (954) 556-5706 for a fast and affordable tow truck service for any type of vehicle.