If this winter is anything like the last, you need to be preparing early for bad weather. Driving in the winter season is drastically different from driving in the summer. You need to be extra careful not to go slipping and sliding across the roads and avoid being stranded without heat or water. Here are some essential tips that could help you through this season.
Get your car winterized!
- Get a Tune-Up. Have your hoses, belts and anti-freeze checked. A weakened hose or belt can break and leave you stranded, or a weak solution of anti-freeze can ice up and damage your cooling system.
- Check Your Battery. Make sure your car’s battery connection is clean, tight and corrosion-free. The battery should be securely mounted. If the battery is three years old or more, have it tested and replace it if necessary.
- Check Your Heater and Defroster. If your heater isn’t working, you’ll probably know. But what about front and rear defrosters? You want to make sure your windows are defrosted before you start driving to maintain proper visibility.
- Get to Know Your Brakes. If you have the slightest concern that something’s wrong with your brakes, get them inspected immediately.
- Have Your Exhaust System Checked. Ask your mechanic to double check the exhaust system for leaks, which can emit dangerous carbon monoxide into your car. If you become stuck in the snow and want to run the engine and heater, make sure your tail pipe is clear of the snow and crack open a window to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning, which can be fatal.
- Fill up with Window Washer Fluid. Slush and mud splashed on a windshield can spell danger for a winter driver. Make sure your washer fluid reservoir is sufficiently full, and keep a spare jug in the trunk. Don’t use water it will freeze in your system and do damage.
- Consider New Wiper Blades. Even if your windshield wiper blades are in good condition, you might want to upgrade to a rubber coated snow blade that can handle the extra weight of wet snow. They’re not expensive, and could make your winter driving a lot safer in the long run.
- Take a Look at Your Tires. Your tires need to have adequate tread with “grip” to propel you through the snow. Have an expert check them out if you have any concerns.
- Fill Your Fuel Tank. One of the best driving tips for winter is to keep your tank more than half full at all times. It will help you avoid freezing in your fuel lines, and will keep you safer in winter weather situations.
If you have any questions about preparing your car don’t wait until it is too late call us and we can answer any questions you may have.
Filed in: Driving Tips.
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