It’s important to prepare your car before the harshest conditions of winter arrive.
The best time for vehicle owners to start preparing cars for cold weather is in the weeks prior to Thanksgiving as Ed Gliss, a technical expert for Michelin, suggests.
It is crucial that you prepare your car for winter driving, because this season puts unusual demands on its parts and equipment. Failure to do so may result in a life-threatening situation.
Here are five ways to make sure your car is ready to brace the cold weather for a safe driving experience.
Examine your battery and charging system
It’s important to have a mechanic examine the battery’s performance as batter capacity decreases considerably during cold weather. Gliss mentioned that it becomes very important to have a good performing battery in these cooler temperatures. As it becomes harder on the cells and it raids their battery capacity.
Another way to protect the battery is by parking the car in a sheltered garage and not out in the freezing cold. It’s also important to have jumper cables handy in case your car breaks down, but also if you come across another motorist in need of a jumpstart.
Inspect your windshield wipers and make sure they are in working order
Gliss suggests to check for cracks or chips on the windshield as they are likely to deteriorate in extreme cool temperatures. He recommends getting those repaired or checked by an expert.
Wiper blades should be replaced to ensure they are able to handle various elements and keep the windshield clear. Gliss also suggests using a washer fluid that’s suitable for subfreezing temperatures.
Additionally, doublecheck your car’s defrosters working condition to assist with maintaining visibility.
Monitor tire pressure
Tire’s pressure drop during the winter as the air becomes colder so it’s important to check your tire pressure every month.
“An under-inflated tire underperforms and does not wear good for the consumer,” he states.
Tire pressure is measured by pounds per square inch (PSI). If you are not sure about what level of PSI your tire should be, the proper inflation level can usually be found inside the driver’s door jam.
Furthermore, there are specific styles of tires that can support cold weather better than others. A good rule of thumb is to have a tire for all seasons. Gliss said it’s sensible to look into winter tires that are built for handling icy roads and superior traction, especially if you are living in regions where temperatures reach zero.
Inspect brake lights and headlights
It’s critical to have fully functioning brake lights and headlights when coping with heavy snow or winter fog. It will help your own visibility but also make sure you are visible to other drivers as Gliss mentioned. Plastic headlight covers with a haze or looking discolored doesn’t help at all with the brightness of headlights.
If you choose not to have it serviced by a professional, you can find plastic headlight lens repair kits at various retailers.
Add a coat of wax to your car
You can protect your car against any damage caused by salt and dirt on the roads by adding a fresh coat of wax before the snow begins, as Michelin states.
Even though, road salt is used to combat icy roads, it can cause considerable amount of damage because it is corrosive.
