Winter is coming and this means that you need to work on getting your car ready for winter driving or winter car storage. You’ll be glad to know there are some Winter vehicle preparation tips that will help you get started on this important task to ensure you’re ready to go when the season changes.
You want to make sure that your car is safe to drive and ready for the harsh weather and slick roads that will inevitably arrive once winter hits. Winter roads can be dangerous, so you must put your safety first and keep your car in proper order for the conditions. Otherwise, you risk getting stranded or getting into an accident. Learn what you can do today to ensure you and your vehicle are ready for wintertime.
Perform Regular Maintenance to Get Your Car Ready for Winter
You can also get your car ready for winter by making sure you keep up with regular maintenance on your vehicle throughout the year. For instance, you’ll want to plan on changing your oil and antifreeze. Antifreeze is what keeps your engine from freezing when it’s very cold outside. Otherwise, you risk your engine freezing and becoming stranded. You might also want to consider switching over to winter-grade oil at your next oil change as another preventative measure. Another idea is to use winter windshield wiper fluid since it’s not all the same. It won’t freeze on your windshield, and it’ll be much easier to keep it clean and see out of your front window.
Making sure you stay on top of these tasks and confirming your vehicle is in good condition will only help prevent any car troubles you may encounter during the winter months. If your mechanic advises any important repairs then you should take care of them sooner rather than later. Something can go wrong with your car during any season, but during winter it’s especially dangerous since it might leave you stranded in the cold.
Check Tire Tread
One way to prepare your car for winter is to check your tire tread. Having good and reliable tires is essential for traveling on slippery roads. Inspect them for wear and tear and be sure to have them rotated during each oil change. You can check tire tread yourself, but it also can be helpful to speak with a trusted mechanic to discuss the current condition of your tires and to decide if it’s time to replace them or not before winter hits. If it is time to replace them and you live in a cold climate with harsh winter conditions then you might want to consider getting snow tires.
Another important to-do when it comes to your tires is filling them up. If they have low pressure then this can potentially be dangerous on the winter roads. Knowing how to check and fill your tires yourself is important so that you can do so easily at your local gas station. And don’t forget to keep checking your tire pressure throughout the season!
Confirm You Have Heat
Another tip for getting your car ready for winter is to fix your heater and confirm it’s working properly. The last situation you want is to be driving in the bitter cold and for your heat to go out. Also, imagine if you happen to be stuck in your car for a long period of time without heat. This can be a very dangerous circumstance to encounter so avoid it at all costs. It’s not only a preventative measure you should take, but working heat will make driving in winter more comfortable overall. As a rule of thumb, the auto experts these days advise that you warm up your car no more than 30 seconds before you start driving in winter.
Test & Inspect Your Battery
Since winter is coming then you should also test and inspect your battery. You may not realize it but your car battery capacity decreases in wintertime. You can confirm your car is ready to go for winter by having a professional look over your battery’s fluid and cables. The cold temperatures in winter can make it harder for your vehicle’s engine to start. It’ll need more power to get going and a battery that’s strong and not about to die.
Be Ready for an Emergency
You can also get your car ready for winter by having a winter supply box or emergency kit in your vehicle. It’s not only necessary for your car but also your personal safety. If something goes wrong and you’re traveling on a cold winter day then you can rest easy knowing you’re prepared for whatever you may encounter. Keep a supplies box in your trunk so you know it’s always there and readily available. Some items that you should include are as follows:
- A flashlight
- Road flares
- A first-aid kit
- A couple of blankets
- A change of warm clothes
- A few extra pairs of gloves
- A radio,
- A charged cell phone for 911 calls and a portable charger
- An extra ice scraper
- Some high-energy snacks
- A few bottles of water
Find Great Car Insurance & Roadside Assistance
If you own and drive a car then you should also make sure you secure the right car insurance and coverage. In addition to the typical and usual coverage for your car, you might also want to consider paying a little more for roadside assistance. This will help you in the case of having a flat tire if you get stranded and break down, or you get into an accident. The benefits of roadside assistance are that you don’t have to worry about your vehicle or the safety of yourself or your passengers as much since can contact your provider for help in the case of an emergency. Depending on the policy, it might require you to spend some money upfront but that can easily add up to significant cost savings in the future.
Freedom Insurance Group
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