Winter often brings brutal arctic cold fronts. I want to make sure you and you’re automobile are ready for the cold weather. While your safety should be the number one priority, maintaining and preparing your car for this cold weather should, as well.
Here are some tips to keep your automobile up and running when cold front hit.
- Get Informed
Make sure you know what the weather and roads are like before you hit the open road. This is especially important before a long-distance drive or driving in isolated areas. Also, if you are going to an unknown area, take time to check your route prior to your drive.
- Check Your Antifreeze
Your antifreeze (the juice that goes in your radiator) is an essential part of your vehicle’s winter protection. Your car contains a 50/50 mix of water and antifreeze. Make sure the level is full and the mixture is accurate. Many service stations and repair centers will check this mixture free, or you can stop by one of our store for us to check it for you. - Inspect Your Tires
The last line of defense between you and an oak tree are your tires. Cold weather is not the time to get cheap about your tires, so take the time to check the tread depth. The National Highway Transportation Safety Board says you need at least 2/32″ of depth to be safe. It’s been my experience, especially in winter weather, that anything less than 4/32″ (1/8″) needs be replaced soon. The old penny test is one say to find out whether your treads are ready for winter action. Also, be sure to check your tire pressure. Believe it or not, they lose a little pressure when it gets cold, so pump ’em up. - Replace Your Wipers
Wipers? What do your windshield wipers have to do with cold weather? Two things. First, anything falling from the sky is going to end up on your windshield, and unless you have a team of Oompa Loompas riding on the hood of your car, the task of clearing it falls on your wipers. Second, in areas that see snowfall in the winter, you’re also driving through that soupy muck that’s left on the road once the highway department does their thing. This muck includes a lot of sand and/or salt, both of which end up on your windshield. It takes wipers that are in top shape to keep your windshield clean and safe. - Check Your Windshield Washer Fluid
You’ll be using lots of washer fluid as you try to keep your windshield sparkly. A mile stuck behind an 18-wheeler will have your windshield looking like a Desert Humvee, if you’re low on washer fluid. Tip: Don’t fill your washer fluid reservoir with anything except washer fluid (washer fluid won’t freeze). - Gas it Up!
Make sure you keep your gas tank at least half full to avoid a gas line freeze-up.
Where ever your path may take you, make sure that you always take time to take care of your car, so it can take care of you. Make sure you check back to our blog regularly for more great automotive tips, stories, news and events. Plus, join us on www.Facebook.com and www.Twitter.com!
