Guest post by Mike Thompson
As the temperature starts to drop, it’s important to make sure your car is ready for colder weather. Taking a few simple steps now can help prevent expensive repairs down the road, and it will also help you stay safe on the roads this winter. Here are 10 tips to get your car ready for winter:
1. Check Your Tires
As winter approaches, it’s important to make sure your car is prepared for winter. One way to do this is to check the tread on your tires.
Tire tread is the raised portion of the tire that comes into contact with the road. It plays an important role in gripping the road and keeping your car stable, especially in wet or icy conditions.
When tire tread is worn down, it can significantly reduce traction, making it more difficult to control your car. This can be particularly dangerous in wintery conditions, when roads are often slick and treacherous.
Luckily, checking tire tread is a fairly easy process. You can either use a tread depth gauge (available at most auto parts stores) or simply insert a penny into the tread groove. If you can see all of Lincoln’s head, then your tread is too worn and you should replace your tires.
If Lincoln’s head is showing, then it’s time for a new set. Tires are not usually covered by car warranty companies since they are considered normal wear and tear, so you will need to pay for a new set unless they are still under warranty. You can either choose normal tires or tires designed for winter weather.
Normal tires vs. winter tires
The type of tires you have on your car can make a big difference in your driving experience. In the winter months, icy roads and snow-covered highways can be treacherous, and having the right tires can mean the difference between a safe trip and an accident.
Winter tires are designed to provide better traction and handling on icy roads, and they also feature deeper treads that help to prevent hydroplaning. In addition, winter tires are made from a softer rubber compound that remains flexible in cold weather, providing better grip on icy surfaces. As a result, winter tires can help to keep you safe on the road during the coldest months of the year.
However, winter tires typically cost more than your regular tire, so if you’re on a budget, then normal tires may work for you.
2. Get a Tune-up
An auto tune-up is an important part of keeping your car running well. It includes a number of different tasks, such as changing the oil and filter, checking the tire pressure and tread, and inspecting the brakes.
A tune-up is a great way to get your car ready for the colder months. This simple maintenance procedure can help improve your fuel economy and prevent engine trouble down the road. Plus, it’s a lot cheaper than buying a new car!
By getting an auto tune-up on a regular basis, you can help to extend the life of your car and avoid costly repairs down the road and also improve your car’s performance and fuel efficiency.
3. Fill Up Your Windshield Washer Fluid
Any Londoner knows that the winter months can be tough on cars. With freezing temperatures and constantly changing weather conditions, it’s important to take a few extra steps to prepare your car for the winter.
One way to do this is to make sure your windshield washer fluid is filled up before the roads turn cold. This will help you keep your windshield clean and clear, so that your vision will be unobscured. You can also add a de-icer to your fluid to help melt the ice on your windshield on those cold icy mornings before work.
4. Check your lights and wipers
Winter is a magical time in London. The air is crisp and (sometimes) the city is cloaked in a blanket of snow. But as any citizen knows, winter can also be a challenging time to get around. Roads are icy, visibility is reduced, and accidents are more common.
Headlights, taillights, and brake lights all need to be in good working order to ensure safety on the roads. Fortunately, checking your car lights is a relatively simple process.
- First, make sure that all of the bulbs are functioning.
- Next, clean any dirt or debris from the lenses.
- Finally, adjust the aim of the headlights so that they are pointing in the proper direction.
By taking a few minutes to check your car lights, you can help ensure a safe and enjoyable winter driving season.
5. Keep an Emergency Kit in Your Car
Winter is coming, and that means it’s time to start thinking about cold weather preparation. If you’re planning on spending any time in London, be sure to pack an emergency kit for your car. Here are some things to include:
- First-aid kit
- Jumper cables
- Flashlight
- A blanket
- Bottled water and snacks
- Roadside emergency tools (e.g., a tire jack, a screwdriver, a wrench)
- Phone charger
By being prepared for the worst, you’ll be able to enjoy winter without having to worry about being caught off guard by the cold.
6. Keep Your Gas Tank Full
When the temperature starts to drop, it’s important to take a few extra steps to prepare your car for winter. One way to do this is by keeping your gas tank full.
This may seem like a small thing, but it can actually be quite helpful in the event of an emergency. If you get stranded in the cold, having a full tank of gas will give you the ability to keep your car running and stay warm until help arrives.
7. Check Your Battery Terminals
As the temperature starts to drop, it’s time to start thinking about winterizing your car. One important step is to check your battery terminals. This is because battery acid can freeze and expand, causing the battery to crack.
As a result, your car may not start on a cold morning. To prevent this, simply clean the terminals with a wire brush and reapply a thin layer of grease. Once you’ve done this, your car will be ready to take on the winter weather.
8. Lubricate Locks and Weather Tracking
Another way to prepare your car is to lubricate parts of your car to keep it from freezing. This will help to prevent them from freezing, making it easier to get into your car on those cold mornings.
If the locks get frozen, it can be extremely difficult to get into your car. The cold weather can cause the metal to contract, making it difficult to turn the key. By lubricating the locks, you can help to prevent this from happening.
The lubricant creates a barrier that prevents moisture from getting inside the lock and freezing the mechanism. As a result, you can rest assured that your car will be easy to enter, even on the coldest of days.
By using a lubricant on the weather tracks, you create a barrier between the metal and the snow. This barrier helps to prevent the snow from sticking to the tracks and keeps them from freezing. As a result, your car will have an easier time gripping the road and won’t suffer as much wear and tear over the course of the winter.
9. Check Your Coolant’s Freeze Protection
When you’re out on the open road, the last thing you want is your car to overheat. But what if it’s freezing cold outside? How does your car’s cooling system keep your engine from freezing solid?
It all has to do with the coolant. Most coolants are a mix of water and antifreeze, which lowers the freezing point of the water. That way, even when the temperature outside is below freezing, the coolant in your engine will remain liquid.
But what if the temperature drops too low? That’s where freeze protection comes in. Some coolants contain additional chemicals that lower the freezing point even further, to help prevent your engine from freezing up in extreme cold.
So if you’re planning to travel in extremely cold weather, be sure to check your coolant levels and make sure you have a decent amount of freeze protection.
10. Switch to Winter Wiper Blades
Another way to prepare your car for winter is to switch to winter wiper blades. These are made of a softer material that won’t freeze and crack in cold weather. They also have a curved design that helps to clear snow and ice from your windshield more effectively. So if you haven’t already, be sure to make the switch before the winter weather hits.
By following these tips, you can help ensure that both your car and your wallet are prepared for colder weather. Taking care of small issues now can prevent big problems (and big bills) later on. And remember, when in doubt, err on the side of caution! Safe driving this winter!
