As the air grows colder and wind shuffles in, your vehicle faces dangers that have nothing to do with your driving. Even sitting in the driveway, cold air and snow can wreak havoc on several parts of your vehicle. Be sure to take careful measures with your vehicle during the winter.
1. Warm Up Your Vehicle for 2-3 Minutes
Let your vehicle warm up before you start driving it. This allows the oil, which may have stiffened from the cold, to get moving throughout the engine. Driving with a cold engine can cause engine problems, and issues with car engines are notoriously expensive to fix.
2. Invest in the Right Tires
Whether it snows, sleets or hails, the roads grow dangerously slippery in the winter. Make sure your tires are up to shape and consider investing in new tires if yours are worn. You want as much grip as possible when driving on ice-slick roads.
3. Maintain Battery Life
If you’re driving less during the winter especially, you will need to consistently check on your battery. Bring it inside the garage to charge. The cold makes it harder for the battery to work while inside your vehicle. Check your battery and its cable connections to make sure there is no freezing or fraying.
4. Wax On
To protect the outside of your vehicle, wash and wax it to lessen damage caused by frost and hail. Lingering frost can damage your vehicle’s body and windows. If you have any cracks in your windshield, be sure to keep an eye on them. Sudden cold and sudden heat can cause cracks to expand and contract, which may worsen the damage.
5. Check the Breaks
The breaks are one of the most important, if not the most important, part of your vehicle to maintain. A lot of vehicles’ breaks grow stiff in the cold, making it more difficult to stop or causing that high-pitched squealing. Letting your car run can help with this. If you are having any trouble at all with your breaks, make sure to have them looked at immediately.
6. Always Have an Emergency Kit
You should always have an extra tire in your vehicle in case of an accident, but this is especially true in winter when blown tires are common. Also, consider having a tool kit, blankets and a first-aid kit.
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