With its harsh winter weather, heavy rain, cold temperatures, and unpredictability winter are among the most hazardous times to be driving. Road safety starts with the safety of your vehicle. This is why it’s crucial to be aware of what you need to do to prep your vehicle for winter ahead of when the season begins. Before your first storm of snow or ice, you should follow this list of 10 steps to prepare your car for winter.
1. Check to see if your vehicle has recently been serviced to ensure an oil change and a fluid level test.
2. Test your battery to make sure it’s able to keep a charge. While you’re at the service garage, make them clean out any corrosion on the battery.
3. Check with a professional for antifreeze. If necessary, get your antifreeze changed before the beginning of the winter season.
4. As part of an overall inspection make sure a professional checks your vehicle’s belts, hoses, and spark plugs to keep your car from breaking down in the cold winter weather.
5. Replace the blades for your windshield with a new set in your vehicle. If windshield wipers get worn down they could cause water smears to appear on the windshield and can be risky for winter driving. To avoid wear, you can employ an ice scraper to remove ice from your windshield, not your wipers. It’s also crucial to make sure the fluid in your wipers is not prone to freezing, and that you have additional wiper fluid in your car.
6. Check your tire pressure. Many vehicles alert the driver when they need air due to weather changes However, it never hurts to keep a gauge in your car. The owner’s manual should recommend the correct tire pressure for different driving conditions. Keep in mind that cold temperatures can cause the tires to lose air.
7. Don’t delay until the very last moment to buy snow tires. If you reside in rural regions where roads aren’t likely to be cleared important to buy snow tires as quickly as you can.
8. Check your 4-wheel drive. Since you’ve probably not used it since the winter of the last Check this setting now to be ready for the first snowstorm of the year.
9. Keep the tank full of gas, particularly in temperatures that are freezing. A fully-filled tank can assist in preventing frozen gas lines as well as other problems. Also, it can keep you warm as waiting for roadside assistance should there be a storm emergency.
10. Make sure you have an emergency kit for every vehicle in your home. We suggest having these 14 items, including blankets, flashlights, and warning triangles in your kit.
