It is essential to prepare your car for winter to prevent any catastrophes from happening to you or someone you care for. In winter, hazardous weather conditions cause numerous accidents. Driving can be dangerous and challenging in cold weather, snow, and ice.
Prepare Your Car for Winter Conditions
Here are 10 suggestions for preparing your vehicle for wintry conditions.
Inspect Your Vehicle
Inspect your car regularly, especially as the colder months approach, to ensure everything is in working order. It also pays to run through your auto insurance policy to guarantee you have the best coverage for any potential winter weather problems.
Test Your Battery
During the winter season, cars need more battery current to start the engine. Avoid potential issues by having your car go through a battery load test.
Take Out Old Windshield Wipers
Replace old windshield wipers with new ones. You should also fill up your windshield washer reservoir with a winter-grade solution to help you see while driving in the snow.
Check Your Heater and Defroster
Your car’s heater and defroster are crucial to keeping the windshield clear during winter weather. The heater should blow hot air, and the defroster should clear the windshield quickly.
Examine Your Tires
As the temperatures start to dip, it’s time to look at your tires. You’ll generally want a tread depth of at least 6/32 of an inch. You can check tires by using a quarter. Place the coin in the tread with Washington’s head pointing down. If you can see above his head, your tread is shallow, and it’s time for new tires.
Monitor the Tire Pressure
The cold can cause the air pressure in your tires to drop about 1 PSI for every 10-degree decrease in temperature. It is essential to check your tire pressure at least once a month and before any long trips.
Change the Oil
Your car’s oil needs to be changed more frequently in the winter. Cold weather makes oil thicker, so it doesn’t flow as easily and can’t lubricate your engine.
Inspect Belts and Hoses
As the weather turns cold, inspecting your car’s belts and hoses is crucial. Look for cracks or fraying and have them replaced if necessary.
Wash Your Car After Using
Roads have deicing chemicals that can cause corrosion on your car. It is essential to wash your car regularly during winter to protect the paint and metal.
Prepare an Emergency Kit
Lastly, one of the significant steps to prepare your car for winter is to have an emergency kit in your vehicle if you get stranded. This kit should include water, snacks, a first-aid kit, jumper cables, and a flashlight.
About Transparity Insurance Services
Transparity Insurance Services was founded for the purpose of helping clients to ensure their property and assets with no hassle. We are committed to providing a simple, easy, efficient, and positive experience to all of our clients, and prioritize open and transparent communication with our clients. Through our excellent customer service and technology, we can help you to find the right insurance program at a competitive price. Contact us today at (855) 889-2037 to learn more about what we can do for you.