Mia
It is the time of year where preparing your car for cold weather becomes an important task. If you are someone who commutes to work, or just drives around town on a regular basis, preparing your car for winter can be crucial to your safety and well-being. Here are some steps that will help you get started preparing your vehicle for cold weather!
Get A New Battery
Cold weather usually means big pressure on your battery. The car battery life span is crucial to your car starting up. In order to make sure that you avoid getting stuck in the cold weather, it is best if you bring your battery for a checkup before winter starts. If there are any problems with it, have it replaced as soon as possible so that you can be prepared and ready during those chilly days.
A better battery will keep your car running during the cold weather. That way, you won’t get stuck in a cold place with a car that doesn’t start. You can replace your battery at any time of the year, but it is best if you do so before winter begins for added safety and security while driving during the colder months.
Switch Out Your Tires
You have to switch out your tires to prepare for winter driving. How will you know if switching out the tires is needed? If they are worn down, have dents or cracks on them, are balding, or have an odd tread pattern it’s probably time to switch out your old set of tires with new ones.
Winter tires will make sure you get the best rid of your car in winter weather. They are able to grip on ice and snow, so you will be better prepared for driving conditions that aren’t typical during other seasons.
Make sure to check with a tire professional before switching out your old set of wheels as there may be an issue with them that is not visible from the outside or by just looking at them. It’s always safest when they can inspect what needs to change about your current set of tires firsthand instead of guessing if it’s safe enough for winter wear.
Add Antifreeze To Your Radiator
Make sure to add plenty of antifreeze to the radiator when preparing your car for cold weather. Be sure that it does not freeze or solidify during winter since that can cause damage to the engine and other parts of the vehicle. Since water freezes at a lower temperature than ethylene glycol antifreeze, adding plenty will help keep things working smoothly in colder climates.
Antifreeze also helps prevent corrosion from occurring so you do not have any problems with rust developing nor having too much heat escape through the cooling system. This is important because once salt gets on roads where cars drive, they tend to corrode more easily if there isn’t enough protection against them doing so. It’s vital that you check up often on this fluid throughout wintertime especially given the cold temperatures.
Add A Fuel Stabilizer
The fuel stabilizer will help to prevent the fuel from forming gums and gumming up your engine. When you add a stabilizer to gasoline, this prevents deterioration of gas that would otherwise happen in about 30-60 days if petrol is stored in an unopened container or for several months when kept open.
This will make sure the car starts up on a cold day. In addition, you will avoid stalling when driving after the engine has been turned off for several hours because of the fuel line freezing in colder weather. In order to add a stabilizer directly into your gas tank, make sure to use the proper amount based on how many gallons are in your tank and then drive around so that it can mix with gasoline inside before filling up completely.
Pack An Emergency Kit If The Car Dies Down
You will also need emergency equipment to help in case your car breaks down.
- Jumper cables, to keep the car running while you wait for help
- A flashlight with working batteries so you can find your way out of the dark or see what’s wrong if it breaks at nighttime
- An ice scraper, to help you clear the windows of snow and frost
- A blanket for warmth if your car breaks down during cold weather
Get An Oil Change
Changing out your oil will prepare your car for cold weather, but it is important to do so before the cold sets in. If you wait until after winter has taken hold, the oil will have already thickened up and be harder to change out. It can also make preparing your car more challenging for standard maintenance procedures like changing spark plugs or replacing belts because of how vicious the oil will be.
Winter can be very damaging to your car if you don’t prepare it. Get a stronger battery and switch your tires for the cold weather. You will also need antifreeze in the radiator and a fuel stabilizer to keep it running. Don’t forget to pack an emergency kit in case the car dies down and change the oil while it’s still warm outside. This will make sure your car runs well during the cold season!
