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| Photo: OpenRoad Auto Group |
The holiday season is usually a bright spot in what is
typically a cold, gray, dreary time of year. Now that the hustle and bustle of
Christmas and New Year’s is over, unfortunately we still have a few months of
cold, gray, and dreary weather to get through!
Winter can definitely be a tough season, and the harsh
elements can take a toll on both your home and vehicle (especially your
vehicle) if you don’t do some preventive maintenance first. There are a few simple steps you can take to
get your vehicle road-ready for winter driving.
Install winter wiper
blades. If you’ve never had winter wiper blades before, you’ll notice a
difference the first time you use them. They’re heavier than regular blades and
contain a special rubber portion on them that keeps ice from collecting. Like
regular blades, make sure you buy a set of winter blades that are the right fit
for the size and shape of your windshield so they work properly.
Check your tires. Most
vehicles come with all-weather tires, but some older models still need to have the tires switched over
to the winter ones. According to the PepBoys’ corporate website, winter tires
are made of soft rubber that won’t harden in the cold, and their tread is
typically deeper, which give them a better grip and allow them to pass through
snow easier. And don’t forget to check your tire pressure! Cold weather can
cause the pressure to decrease slightly, which can impact how well your tires
handle winter driving. Check your pressure regularly throughout the winter and
fill them as needed.
Keep your wiper fluid
full. Anyone who has driven in a full-fledged winter storm knows how
quickly the visibility can change. Your wiper blades work overtime on these
occasions, and at the same time, you likely use quite a bit of your fluid.
Check your wiper fluid well often—there’s nothing worse than driving in poor
conditions and not being able to see, and as a bonus, having a splattered
windshield and nothing to clean it with! It’s wise to keep some extra fluid in
your car, as well. Be sure to use all-season
fluid so it doesn’t freeze in the line (note that “summer” fluid will freeze
once the temperature drops below 32 degrees F).
Check your brakes.
Sailing over a patch of black ice is not the best time to discover your car
needs new brakes. If they’ve been showing signs of wear and tear or you’re
nearly pushing the brake pedal to the floor, don’t wait to take your vehicle in
for service. You don’t want to take any chances with your vehicle when driving
in winter weather, so winter is not a good time to put off any kind of vehicle maintenance.
Pack an emergency
kit. Winter can be unpredictable at best, and you never know when you might be stuck on the road for an
extended amount of time. Be prepared with an emergency kit for your car. It should
include blankets, at least one extra set of clothing, candles, extra cell phone
charger, nonperishable food (protein bars and/or trail mix work great), road
flares (in case your vehicle is in distress), first aid kit, flashlight and
extra batteries, jumper cables, and bottled water.
Being proactive with preparing your vehicle both inside and
out will go a long way towards staying safe on the roads this winter. But the
best way to protect yourself and your car is to watch the weather forecasts and
don’t go out if you don’t have to!
