Important Winter Car Care Tips

Winters can mean beautiful snowfalls and holidays, but they can also bring quite a few headaches of their own—especially when it comes to traveling by car. Driving becomes more challenging on slick roads, so you need to really plan out your journeys well in advance, as your car is likely going to come under more strain given the extreme weather conditions.

Salt, sand and ice are just a few of the things that can take a toll on your automobile, but there are a number of simple and easy ways to care for your car in the winter.

Read on for more tips about how to keep your car in good condition in winter weather:

• Switch to snow tires: Tire technology has progressed quite a bit in the past few decades, and many automakers now pitch all-weather tires that can handle any condition. While many of these are quality products that will keep your car safe on the road, there’s no substitute for snow tires. Keeping your car in good condition in winter weather means making sure that you are firmly in control at all times, and snow tires help make that possible.
• Check tire pressure regularly: Irregular tire pressure can wreak havoc on your gas mileage in the best of conditions. In wintertime, it becomes a safety issue. Underinflated tires will wear down prematurely, which means that they’re more likely to lose traction on slick surfaces. Check your pressure once a week or so to avoid this outcome.
• Keep gas in the car: Winter weather can turn dangerous if you’re left outside for too long. As such, you want to be prepared should the worst ever happen. You can care for your car in the winter by not letting the tank run down as much as you normally would. If you ever get stranded in the weather or stuck in the snow, you’ll be glad that you had the extra fuel to keep the engine and the heat running until help arrives.
• Protect your wipers: Winter salt and ice can cause visibility issues, so it’s important to protect your windshield wipers. First, make sure you thoroughly scrape the windshield; this will ensure that the blades do not get hung up and damaged on obstructions like ice across the surface. Finally, a good way to care for your car in winter is to leave your wipers flipped in the up position if snow is expected. This way, you can feel confident that they won’t freeze to the windshield.
• Keep a car kit: Being stuck in the snow can be a harrowing experience. A great way to keep yourself and your car in good condition in winter weather is to pack a car kit to prepare for when the worst might happen. This should include things like food, batteries, flashlights, blankets and extra clothing.

Driving in the winter can be stressful for a lot of drivers, but with some planning and preparation, everything can go relatively smoothly. If you have any additional questions about auto care or repair, then get in touch with our team at Lentz Auto Body today.

Categorised in: Auto Maintenance

This post was written by Writer