With winter weather approaching, you need to ensure your car is ready to face the challenges posed by colder weather. Freezing temperatures, heavy snow, icy roads, and salted streets can all take their toll on your vehicle.
It’s up to you to make sure your vehicle is protected, from maintaining the battery and investing time and energy into car detailing. Use the tips and information here to ensure your vehicle is ready to take on winter weather.
Check Your Car’s Lights
A hazard of driving in winter is that the sun tends to set earlier in the day. This means there is less daylight, resulting in you commuting home in the dark. It’s important to ensure your vehicle’s lights are working well and provide optimal illumination.
If one of your headlights is burnt out , be sure to replace it before you get on the roads at night. If there is snow covering your exterior lights, be sure to remove it before you drive anywhere. Foggy headlights are also problematic, and you should either replace them or purchase a restoration kit.
Maintain Your Vehicle’s Battery
A vehicle that has a weak battery in it may completely die in the winter, so it’s a good idea to test your battery before cold weather moves in to ensure it is still working properly.
If the battery is low, you should replace it right away. Doing this means you won’t have to worry about being stranded and unable to reach your destination. Keep in mind that it is a good idea to have jumper cables on-hand, just in case you do find yourself in this situation.
Flush and Fill Your Vehicle’s Coolant
The coolant in your vehicle (also known as antifreeze) is extremely important, as it helps ensure the engine doesn’t freeze when it is cold outside. Before driving in cold temperatures, be sure the coolant isn’t low. It’s also a good idea to see if there are any leaks in the vehicle’s engine components that could cause the coolant to leak out. Some mechanics recommend that you add a mix of 50% coolant and 50% water to your radiator. The purpose is to lower the engine freezing point, which protects your vehicle in extreme temperatures.
Wash the Outside Regularly
The snow, sleet, salt, and other winter weather elements can take their toll on your vehicle. It’s not just the engine you need to protect. Be sure you wash and clean the exterior of your vehicle regularly to prevent problems.
Check the Tires
In order to handle winter weather to the fullest extent, your tires need to be in great shape. Make sure you check the treads and replace your tires if necessary. In snow and ice having proper traction is essential to avoid an accident. If your vehicle doesn’t have winter tires, be sure to purchase a set and change them at the earliest opportunity.
Keeping Your Vehicle Winter-Ready
There are more than a few steps you can take to ensure your vehicle is ready for winter. Keep this information in mind to ensure you get the desired results and that your vehicle continues operating properly all winter long.