6 Ways to Prepare Your Car During Winter Weather
With the winter season coming in a couple of weeks, now’s the perfect time to prepare your vehicle
for colder and more dangerous driving conditions. According to the Federal Highway Administration,
nearly 76,000 people are injured in accidents during the winter season,
making it vital for drivers to ensure that their cars can handle icy roads and intense weather conditions.
To help you prepare your vehicle for the coming winter and protect your family against possible incidents, we’ve listed six things you can do to prevent engine freeze-ups, frozen doors and windows, and other winter-related issues.
How to Prep Your Car For The Winter
Prepping your car may take some time, and because of this, it’s important to plan and create a full checklist to keep track of what you need to prepare for winter roads and travel.
Get Your Car Serviced
There are several challenges you can face when driving during winter. The best way to avoid certain issues that could lead to hazardous situations is to have your car serviced. Check the brakes, cooling system, spark plugs, and other components of your ride before hitting the road.
While the cold weather won’t drastically affect your brake system, a car brake service guarantees optimal performance when you hit the road. A thorough car inspection will help determine whether your auto components are in excellent condition. The last thing you want to happen is to find out you need brake pad replacements in the middle of a snowstorm.
Investing in Winter Tires
While normal tires are still serviceable in the winter, their performance won’t be the same or can even become compromised compared to normal conditions.
The rubber compounds of a normal set of tires tend to harden when temperatures consistently hover around freezing, decreasing their grip. Meanwhile, winter tires use materials specifically engineered to resist hardening and provide drivers with better ice, snow, and slush traction.
Winter tires are a must, especially if you live in states that commonly experience extremely cold temperatures or are planning to visit places prone to snow storms.
Check Your Tire Pressure
Suppose you use your normal tires this season. If so, the best thing to do is to check its tire pressure. Changes in ambient temperature can impact your tire pressure. A 10° change alone could mean a gain or loss of 1 PSI.
To ensure that your wheels have the necessary tire pressure, we recommend checking the tire placard placed on your driver’s side door jamb or browsing your vehicle owner’s manual.
You must check your pressure regularly when driving through snow storms and refill them as needed.
Switch Winter Wiper Blades
Similar to ordinary tires, your stock wiper blades are not necessarily manufactured to withstand harsh cold weather. Your blades can get packed with snow, leading to large streaks on your windshield.
Winter wiper blades prevent this by using a rubber boot that encloses the entire blade. The rubber component prevents ice and snow from sticking or packing onto your windshield, allowing you to have better visibility during heavy snowfall.
These wiper blades attach the same way as an ordinary wiper. All you need to do is to remove your old blades and snap the winter blades on. You can store your normal wipers in the meantime until spring comes up.
Monitor Your Rear Window Defroster
Besides having snow on your windshield, a frosted rear window can also lead to unsafe driving conditions. Certain state laws require all vehicle windows to be clear of any condensation or debris to be deemed safe for driving.
When preparing your car for winter weather, it’s important to see whether its defroster is working properly. This tip is also essential if you plan on putting up your used cars for sale this coming winter season.
Fill Up Your Gas Tank
Ensuring your car’s gas tank is at least half full is crucial during winter. Besides keeping you prepared should you become stranded in the middle of nowhere, a full tank reduces condensation.
Condensation tends to cause gas line freeze-ups. And the best way you can prevent this from happening is by regularly filling up your vehicle.
Takeaways
Your winters don’t have to be uncomfortable or scary. By planning ahead of time and prepping your car for harsh weather conditions, you and your family can enjoy the holidays safely and comfortably.
The VIP Automotive Group offers an extensive range of car services for drivers in Long Island, NY. With the help of our expert service advisors, you can prepare your car for the upcoming winter season and maintain a secure driving experience.
For more information on maintaining and protecting your vehicle’s excellent condition, you can visit our blog here.