It is very important to prepare vehicles for the winter. Ensure that your car is secure from cold breezes; therefore, necessary steps must be taken to winterize your vehicle to save costs in the long run.
Although it is very important to maintain your vehicle throughout the year, getting it prepared for the winter is crucially important for car owners. In extreme conditions, automobiles in the winter can get severely damaged, so selling them for cash for cars Brisbane is the last resort.
Therefore, to protect yourself from undue expenses and situations, winterize your car by implementing some basic tips recommended by the experts. To avoid unpredicted breakdowns, winterize your car with the 5 easy steps to make sure that your vehicle gets safely to the destination.
Check Your Tires
Even with the best snow tires, driving in bad weather can be a challenge. Your car tires must be in prime condition before you head to the road. Replace any worn tires, and it is better to use the winter tires for the maximum performance you may need in your environment.
If you live in a place that experiences extremely cold winter temperatures, installing winter tires when winterizing your car is recommended. The winter tires have special compounds that provide better traction in ice, snow and even dry pavement. Also, check your tires’ pressure as they go down when the temperature gets cold. Low tire pressure is extremely dangerous on wet roads, so keeping your tires filled up is vital to your safety on the road.
Winterize Your Battery
During winter, your battery must work more efficiently to keep the engine warm. Bring your vehicle to the expert mechanic to check the battery’s life and replace it if necessary.
The battery’s power decreases with the fall in temperature, meaning it takes more energy to start your car in winter. Therefore, the ideal way is to get your battery inspected by the auto care provider.
If you want to change the battery yourself, you will need to check three different things:
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Cables
Inspect for any cracks or breaks in the cable and make sure they are not loose.
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The Charge
Use a hydrometer to measure the charge on your battery, and don’t forget to turn off the engine before you do so.
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The Manufacture Date
This date can help you identify when your battery will lose its charge. On average, a car battery will last 5 to 7 years.
Check The Fluids
One of the important steps of car maintenance to winterize your car is maintaining fluid levels throughout the season. This includes checking oil, windshield wiper fluid and antifreeze in your vehicle, as they all can get thickened in cold weather, causing harm to your car.
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Oil
Consider changing your oil before it gets too cold. If you are driving in temperatures below the freezing points, it is suggested to use thinner oil, so it doesn’t freeze.
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Antifreeze
Ensure that your vehicle has the right mixture of antifreeze and water and is filled to the maximum line.
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Windshield Wiper Fluid
Use freeze-resistant wiper fluid to keep your windshield from fogging or icing. Switching to the winter wipers from the normal wiper blades is also suggested, which have rubbers that keep the ice from collecting on them.
Keep The Gas Tank At least Half Full
Keeping gas in the tank is more important in the winter than summer. A full tank reduces condensation, preventing the gas line from freezing. If you are stranded, your engine may be the only thing that can keep you warm until any help arrives.
It is a safety precaution in winterizing your car. Don’t step out of the house with your vehicle unprepared.
Pack An Emergency Kit
Problems in the winter are sometimes inevitable, no matter how cautious we are. Prepare an emergency kit and place it in your car trunk to combat the predictable problems during your drive in extreme cold temperatures.
An emergency kit must be in your car throughout the year, but we emphasize it more, especially during the winters, due to the complexities the weather offers. Common tools and supplies can help you manage the problem without staying abandoned for hours.
The following equipment must be in your emergency kit for a safe drive:
- First aid kit
- Ice scraper
- Flashlight and batteries
- Non-perishable food and water
- Jumper cables
- Phone charger
- Bag of sand or kitty litter
- Extra antifreeze
- Blankets or extra, warm clothing items such as coats
Extra Tips for Driving in Winters
Knowing what to do in case you are stuck in an emergency is very important. If you get stuck in a winter storm while driving, don’t panic and follow these steps to relax.
- Do not leave your car for risk of losing sight of it
- Do not run your car for long periods. Instead, turn it on long enough to stay warm, and then turn it off again to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning
- Put your dome lights on to attract attention
Apart from winterizing your car, staying safe while you are on the road is important. Here are some crucial things to consider when driving in winter:
- What gear to drive in on snow and ice
- How fast you should drive
- Keeping the distance between vehicles
- What to do if you start sliding
- Driving uphill or downhill
Last updated on September 11th, 2023 at 10:09 am