5 Ways to Prepare your Car for Winter: The winter season can be risky for cars, which is why it’s necessary for drivers to prepare well in advance of when the critical cold conditions arrive.
Ed Gliss, a test driver and technical superior for Michelin, said the best time for car owners to start preparing vehicles for cold weather is in the weeks resulting in Thanksgiving.
“Temperatures are dropping; you’re starting to get a little bit of frost overnight. That’s a good reminder to start winterising your vehicle,” he said.
Whether you’re on the highway or warming up the car in the driveway, the winter season can cause trouble in a variety of ways.
Here are five ways to make sure your car is ready to withstand cold weather for a safe driving experience.
Monitor tire pressure
Gliss said it’s mandatory to check your tire pressure once a month, particularly during the winter, since a tire’s pressure can drop as the air becomes cold as the winter increases.
“A non-inflated tire does not perform well and does not wear well for the customer,” he said.
Tire pressure is measured by pounds per square inch (PSI). If it is not uniform about what level of PSI your tire must be, the proper inflation level can typically be observed inside the driver’s door jam.
Additionally, there are particular styles of tires that can support navigating wintry weather decently as compared to others. A good rule of thumb is to at least have an all-season tire when driving in weather below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. For those people who live in regions where temperatures may routinely reach 0, Gliss said it’s wise to look into winter tires, which are built for superior traction and handling on snowy or icy roads.
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Have your battery tested.
Battery capacity decreases significantly in cold weather, so it’s important to have a mechanic examine it to ensure it’s at peak performance, according to Michelin.
“It becomes most important to have a good-performing battery in those cooler, chilled temperatures. It’s just difficult on the cells, and it robs their battery capacity,” Gliss said.
It is recommended that parking a car in a garage out of the freezing cold is an alternative way to protect the battery. Having jumper cables handy is also mandatory, not only if your car breaks down but also in case you come across another motorist in need of a jumpstart. [Prepare your Car for Winter]
Look for cracks in windscreens and make sure wiper blades are in working order.
“If you have cracks or chips [on the windscreen], they are likely to worsen in extreme cold temperatures. So I recommend getting those rectified or observed by an expert,” Gliss said.
Gliss also recommended replacing wiper blades to ensure they can handle the various elements and keep the windscreen clear. Additionally, he said it’s necessary to use a washer fluid that’s rated for subfreezing temperatures.
Car owners must also ensure their defrosters are in accurate working order to assist with maintaining visibility.
Introduce a coat of wax to your car.
Michelin defines that a fresh coat of wax before the snow arrives falling can help save a car against damage from salt and dirt on the roads.
Road salt, while an essential factor to combat icy roads, can lead to extensive destruction to vehicles within a time frame because it is corrosive.
Turtle Wax recommends using its product on the lower side of the vehicle, containing quarter panels, behind the wheels, and front grille. This is because ice, snow, and salt seem to build up and stay in these areas for a long time. [Prepare your Car for Winter]
Inspect headlights and brake lights.
Make sure to have fully functioning headlights and brake lights when dealing with thick winter fog or heavy snowfall.
“It’s going to help your own appearance while driving, but also make sure you are visible to other drivers too,” Gliss said.
Gliss introduces that he observed plastic headlight covers with a haze on them or looking discolored. This can have a negative look on the brightness of the headlights.
Plastic headlight lens repair kits can be observed at various retailers if you select not to have it serviced by a professional.