Traveling during the winter can be unsettling, but there are ways you can set yourself up for a safe ride. Whether it’s a frosty windshield, tire pressure warnings, or just driving in a blizzard, these car maintenance tips will help you drive safely in winter weather.
Winter Tires
Even if your vehicle has all-wheel drive you may still want to consider getting a separate set of winter tires if you’re headed somewhere that sees a lot of snow and ice. An alternative to winter tires is getting all-weather tires put on your vehicle. All-weather tires are different from all-season tires, as all-weather tires are designed to have a good snow grip without compromising the performance for other times of year.
Make sure whatever tires you do have plenty of tread on them, especially going into winter. To get through the snow requires your tires to have the deepest grooves possible. If your tires are worn down, the grooves will be shallower.
Get Your Wipers Ready
Every season comes with different visibility problems. Rain, fog, and snow all make it difficult to see so it is super important to have the correct wiper blades. Replacing your wiper blades every year is recommended. You can also get more life out of your blades if you regularly clean them and the windshield. Some people also like to pop their vehicle wiper blades up when they park so they don’t freeze to the windshield.
Check Your Battery
Winter puts a lot more stress on your vehicle, causing it to work harder. Take your car to your repair shop to test your car battery to make sure it is in mint condition. It’s a quick and easy way to tell you if the battery needs to be replaced.
Survey Underneath
The underbody of vehicles is particularly vulnerable in the winter months. Road salt can corrode the metal parts underneath, and driving over snowdrifts can run the risk damaging the underbody of your vehicle. So, before it gets too cold, take a peek under your vehicle and see if anything is loose hanging or could be snagged by unforeseen hazards.
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Check The Washer Fluid
Make sure you are filling your washer fluid tank with actual washer fluid. While it may sound like a cheaper, more environmentally friendly option to use water, it’s not a good option for your car. Diluted fluid or even plain water is more likely to freeze once it gets cold enough.