Many parts of the country are already experiencing cold weather driving conditions. While many people prepare themselves and their family for winter by stocking up on warm clothes, firewood, and getting their flu shot, most don’t think about their cars needs are for winter. Cars are a significant investment and need to be treated in a way that protects them and their vehicle occupants.
With this in mind, we provide our top 10 winter car care tips to help keep your car healthy and safe this season:
1. Time for a New Battery? Cold weather reduces a vehicle’s battery power. And the last thing you want in cold weather is a dead battery. Batteries don’t give much warning of failure so if you have not changed your battery in the past three years.
2. Get A Tune-up Now. If your car is due for a tune-up, get it done before cold weather sets in. Winter weather can exacerbate unchecked maintenance items.
photo credit: woodleywonderworks
3. Fill Your Antifreeze. Antifreeze is key to keep your car running in cold temperatures. Make sure the antifreeze you put is properly mixed at 50:50 between antifreeze and water.
4. Keep the Gas Tank At Least Half Tank. By keeping more gas in the tank, you can help prevent running out of gas when winter weather snarls your commute. It also decreases the chance of water moisture collecting in the gas lines.
5. Check Your Tire Pressure. Tires lose pressure when it’s cold out. Make sure your tires are inflated to manufacturer specifications.
6. Give Your Car A Little Time to Warm Up. This can make a remote start feature in a car a highly attractive option.
7. Get The Tires You Need. Having winter tires make a difference and can allow you to get to your destination safely. Get the tires, studs, or chains you need in advance. If you want to stick with your existing tires, make sure they have ample tread depth.
photo credit: Ryan.Berry
8. Replace Your Wiper Blades. Whether it is rain, freezing rain, wind, hail, sleet, or snow, you need to keep your view clear in all conditions. If you live in a particularly cold location, consider special winter wiper blades.
9. Fill Your Washer Fluid. Visibility is key in the winter and more debris reaches a window in snow and icy conditions. Keep your washer fluid levels full and if you live in a harsh climate, you can use special cold weather washer fluid.
10. Switch Your Oil? If you live in a cold weather climate, you want to use low-viscosity oil. It flows more easily helping to keep parts better lubricated.
These winter car care tips can make your travels safer this season, and better prepare you for all it brings. It is a good idea to keep a checklist of car care tasks to make sure your car is fully winterized. For more information, check out our article on tips for winter driving.
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[...] Many parts of the country are already experiencing cold weather driving conditions. While many people prepare themselves and their family for winter by stocking up on warm clothes, firewood, and getting their flu shot, most don’t think about their cars needs are for winter. Cars are a significant investment and need to be treated in a way that protects them and their vehicle occupants.Source: bestcarinsurancecompanies.net [...]
It’s a winter time, now we should need to prepare our self to get ride of winter, by stocking up some warm clothes, firewood, and other necessary required items, and need to take care of vehicles tires, air pressure, oil, battery system, lights, Fog lights, flashers etc… so that we didn’t run into trouble on road.