Most drivers across the U.S. will face challenging wintertime driving conditions, including extreme cold, snow and ice. As a result, their cars need to be up to the challenge, especially with lengthy Holiday road trips just around the corner. Making sure that your vehicle is “winter-ready” only takes a few minutes, and can be a difference maker if you get caught in a nasty blizzard, or your car sits outside overnight in the bitter cold. To help ensure that you arrive at your destination safely, check off these 5 simple winter car maintenance tips first.
Also known as your engine’s summertime “coolant”, the antifreeze in most newer cars is designed to last up to 5 years or 150K miles, so consult your owner’s manual for details. But if you drive an older vehicle that hasn’t had the antifreeze serviced for years, you may want to have a “flush-and-fill” done at a car care shop, or dealership, to ensure the engine components don’t freeze up. They will also inspect your radiator and hoses, and check the antifreeze level in your overflow reservoir.
Cold weather starts are harder on your battery than warm weather ones. That means that if your battery was giving you trouble during the summer, it’s more likely to fail you when temps drop below freezing. Most good batteries last up to 5 years, but if you have doubts it’s best to have someone run a voltage test on it. If it isn’t holding much of a charge, replace it with a new battery before you get surprised one cold morning, or after some Holiday shopping. Your battery’s terminals (+ and -) also need to be corrosion-free to ensure reliable starts.
During the winter, you’ll probably be spending more commuting time behind the wheel when the sun’s not out. As a result, make sure that all your car’s lights are in working order, especially the headlights. Other vision inhibitors, like snow and ice, also need to be addressed so that you can see other vehicles. Increase visibility by taking these precautions:
Okay, this is more about your maintenance than that of your vehicle. Pack a winter survival kit for your car, notably if you’re about to leave on a long trip when snow is forecast. The last thing you want to happen, especially when you have kids in tow, is getting stranded empty-handed on the highway for several hours in a blinding snowstorm. You need to carry a survival kit that includes these items:
Many vehicles today are 4-wheel drive, all-wheel drive, or equipped with anti-skid features. That’s great, but your tires still need to grip what’s underneath them. If you aren’t going with full-blown winter tires, make sure that your car has a reliable set of all-season ones with adequate tread. If you don’t know what that looks like, take your vehicle to a tire shop and they’ll inspect them. Also, your tires lose one pound of pressure per every 10 degrees Fahrenheit drop in temperature. Underinflated tires can’t grip the road properly. Make sure you check your tire pressure regularly during the wintertime, notably before embarking on a long trip.
Even when taking all these driving precautions, wintertime accidents occur. When your vehicle has been involved in one, bring it to a better auto body shop in your area that’s part of the Carwise referral network. Technicians there have the training, equipment and experience to restore your vehicle like new again and get you back on the road promptly and reliably.
Search your zip code now for a customer-reviewed auto body or glass repair shop nearby: www.carwise.com.
