If you’ve never lived in a cold climate, you probably haven’t had to deal with driving and handling a car in snowy conditions. There is a lot of preparation that must be done before you can drive safely in the winter. Just like you change your wardrobe for winter, your car needs a winter wardrobe. Use the following steps to make sure your car runs safely during the winter.
Winterizing your car falls into two categories: regular car maintenance and specialty items to deal with inclement weather. Regular car maintenance includes the things you do to your car all year long. You need to make sure these maintenance tasks are done before the weather starts to change to ensure your car is running at its optimum level.
Before winter sets in, you should refresh your car maintenance routine. Changing the oil and servicing the brakes are essential to winterizing your car. The roads can be dangerous after the first snowfall. If you opt for snow tires, you should install them several weeks before winter arrives. Snow tires aren’t always necessary, but they’re a good idea if you’re going to be driving somewhere that gets a lot of snow. Even if you don’t need snow tires, make sure your tires are in good condition to handle winter conditions.
Test your wipers before the first rain or snowfall. Make sure the wipers don’t just splash water on the windshield. Improperly working windshield wipers can severely reduce your visibility and put you at risk of an accident. Replace your wipers and take a look at the special winter wipers that are available on the market today. If you live in an area where snow frequently falls, this may be a good option. While you’re at it, make sure the windshield washer fluid container is full and put an extra gallon of fluid in the trunk.
The next part of car prep is gathering the supplies you’ll need to keep your car running in bad weather. These supplies should be kept in two spaces: your garage and in your car. For your garage, you’ll need a shovel, a small broom, and some de-icing spray. These are necessary to free your car from any heavy snowfall that occurred the night before. You may also find an ice scraper handy.
For your car, you should bring an extra ice scraper and some de-icing spray to use if you have to park outside during work hours. These items should be stored with a winter emergency kit that is kept in the trunk of your car. In addition to the scraper and sprayer, you should pack a blanket, some dry snacks, first aid supplies, and bottled water. If you ever get caught in a snowstorm, these items will help you survive.
While winter driving is certainly not something to worry about, you should take steps to prepare your car for the months ahead. Tune up your car and stock up on emergency supplies and you’ll be ready to take on whatever the winter weather throws at you.
