There is no denying that winter roads and driving can be difficult and dangerous. The winter delivers with it severe weather conditions, difficult visual aspects, low sun and snow, and rainstorms.
Even thoughts of us who diligently take care of our cars in the summer, need to step it up in the winter.
Getting your car ready for the winter is something that all drivers should do, it is over the winter months that more people are likely to get into an accident and require a car crash lawyer.
Here are some of the things you can do to winterize your car and keep the repair costs low and your safety high.
Photo by Joakim Honkasalo on Unsplash
Tires
Your tires are what help you stick to the road, and even in their best condition, they can see you sliding on the road. When you are preparing for the bad weather that winter brings, tire pressure is one of the first things you should look at.
Low air tire pressure can mean that you have a suboptimal grip on the road. If you aren’t sure how to check the tire pressure, your local garage will be happy to help you with it.
In some countries, it is required that you switch your regular tires out for winter tires; if this isn’t the case for you, you can instead check the tread. The tread should have plenty left.
If you switch out to winter or snow tires, just remember that you are likely to see a lower mile per gallon.
Battery
A drop in temperature can cause havoc on the battery. This is more common for those who don’t drive often. You might consider investing in a battery that offers some level of winter protection.
In the winter, your battery generally has less capacity, so it is essential to see an eye on your battery fluid and the cables.
When you start the car up, before heading straight out, give it enough time to warm up – you’ll see the light on the dash disappear when your vehicle is sufficiently warmed up. One of the most significant impacts on car batteries is that motor oil thickens up in the cold weather, and your motor needs to work harder.
Brakes
When the snow falls, the roads tend to get pretty wet; add the gritter who drops salt on the streets, and you have a corrosive slick of moisture that can cause issues with the rotor. Over the winter, your car is more likely to see more seasons and driving conditions in one day than they do for most of the year.
The extra salty water can cause rust to form on other parts of your car too.
Clean it
In a season where there is so much rain, it can seem like an unnecessary step to keep cleaning it. However, cleaning the car regularly removes the salted dirt-packed water that coats the tires and the car’s underside.
Your windows, mirror, and lights are also likely to have more grime and debris on them than usual too.
Clean your car every week to keep it in the best condition and present damage from the elements.
When driving in the winter, you should be extra safe; read more: If You Haven’t Taken Road Safety Seriously This Far, You Need To Start Now – All About Horse Power.