Can you believe that Halloween came and went this fast? Now, most people are already preparing for Christmas! With the icy winds of December comes winter, which may or may not be your favorite season depending on how you see things.
Regardless of how you feel about winter, you still must prepare for its arrival. If your car is your main means of getting around, then you should take some active steps to ensure that you stay safe on the road. Since there are many aspects to keep track of, you may understandably feel overwhelmed.
However, with our following list, you will be able to check all the boxes and make sure that your car is ready for winter. So, what are you waiting for? Keep on reading to learn more!
Preparing Your Car for Winter Driving
Engine
As the weather becomes increasingly harsher, your engine will work overtime to keep your car moving. Unfortunately, ice is every engine’s worst enemy. In fact, if you are not using the right antifreeze, your engine may just stop working out of the blue.
In case you are not aware of the importance of antifreeze, it is the fluid that keeps your engine working flawlessly even during snowstorms. We recommend that you give your coolant level a look, just to make sure that your car has the optimal amount of antifreeze. This can be easily discovered by purchasing a special coolant-level kit from any nearby shop that deals in car supplies.
Tires
When driving on slippery roads, you must make sure your car’s tires are up to the task. It does not matter how good of a driver you are; tires that are not made to withstand harsh weather conditions can lead to serious accidents, causing your car to skid off the road.
The best thing you can do to prevent this is to replace your tires with winter ones. Not only do winter tires offer stability and are generally excellent on the ice, but they are also much more durable, so you will not have to deal with busted tires every few weeks. Furthermore, you should fill up your tires to ensure that they are at an optimal pressure level. You can head to a gas station to fill them up or do it yourself if you know your way around an air pump.
Windshield
Snow and ice can compromise visibility, which is why you must prep your car properly before heading out when it is snowing. Most people believe that their windshield wipers can get rid of ice without any help, but this is not true at all. Without a windshield wiper washer fluid, they will not be able to adequately do their job.
Picking the right fluid can be a bit tricky, though, considering the myriad of options available on the market. As a general rule of thumb, a standard blue fluid with a suitable temperature rating is the best choice. However, you can also go for the de-icing variety for more protection.
Lights
Even mornings are quite cloudy in winter, further affecting visibility. More often than not, you will find yourself turning on your car’s lights to see the road better, so it only makes sense that you should check your lights to ensure that they are working properly.
If you notice that your car has any busted bulbs, change them right away. Waiting until you have enough time to visit an auto repair shop can put your life in danger, especially if you drive your car every day to go to work or run errands.
Oil
As it gets colder, you may need to change your engine’s oil to guarantee that your car runs perfectly. Most people use 10W-30 oil, but it is generally not a great option in the winter.
The reason behind that it is too viscous, which can cause engine troubles when accompanied by freezing temperatures. We recommend that you switch to 5W-30 oil in winter, as it is going to help your engine run smoothly even in the harshest of conditions.
Conclusion
Winter is just around the corner, which means you must prepare for those grueling sessions of driving on icy roads. Making sure that your car is in optimal condition will certainly go a long way towards helping you feel safer when driving. So, give the tips on our previous list a try and see the improvement for yourself.
In addition to these small tweaks, you may also want to keep an emergency kit in your car. The kit can include blankets, a flashlight, an ice scraper, and first-aid supplies.