Winter tips: proper car maintenance As the mornings are getting colder, most likely, your first thought isn’t about getting your car ready for the winter. It’s important to make sure that you are prepared though as it starts to get below freezing. Winters can be hard on a car, especially if it is outside. Below are a few things to check and do to make sure that your car is running at its best and to help you get the most out of your car this winter season.
Winter tires Depending on where you live, you may want to make sure that you have the right tires on your car. Getting some good winter tires will help you a lot when driving around in ice and snow. Although winter tires typically don’t last as long as regular tires, they absolutely will give you more traction which will keep you safer during the winter. If you don’t have enough money to switch, then at least make sure that you have enough tread on your tires for winter. A simple way to tell if your tires are okay is to take a penny and put the penny into the groove. If you can see the top of Abraham Lincoln’s head, then it’s time to get new tires. Another viable option that many people have is chains. Chains are great during the winter and can give you some great grip on the road. Because of the damage that they can do to the road, you shouldn’t keep them on always so you may find yourself putting them on and off. This might be a cheaper option but it is time consuming and during a snow storm, the last thing anyone wants to do is get out of their car and mess with some cold chains.
Fresh windshield wipers With all of the snow and different weather you may experience during the winter. It’s good to be up to date on good wiper blades for your car. Wipers should be replaced about every year and keeping good visibility is a must during the winter season. When your car is iced over, try not to break the ice by turning on the windshield wipers. The wiper motors when they are under too much stress can break down and leave you with a lot more trouble than you probably wanted.
A safety kit in your car During the winter months, it can get cold. Especially in certain areas, it can easily get below zero degrees. If you ever have any car trouble you could end up being stranded temporarily in your car. Make sure that you have a few things in your car like a blanket or other things to help you stay warm and hydrated. Winter can be tough on anyone, make sure you are prepared for the worst.
The bottom line No matter what you decide to do during the winter, make sure to go in, have a good servicing, and keep your auto insurance up. Whether you live in Seattle or Monroe, it can get cold during the winter. Have good precautions and just in case, a good car insurance plan is the best way to go about your winter season. Photo Credit: Rotorhead ,
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