How to Prepare Your Car For Winter
Winter can be a detrimental time for your car, therefore we as drivers should take time and invest money in making sure our car is ready for the turbulent weather and below average temperatures.
Whether you’re planning a long trip up the highway or warming up the car in the driveway, the winter season can cause trouble in a variety of ways. Which is why I have teamed up with my fellow ecological friends at Go Green Leasing to devise five top tips to make sure your car is ready to withstand cold weather for a safe driving experience this upcoming winter.
Add a coat of wax to your car
Adding a fresh coat of wax to your car just as temperatures drop, is a great way of protecting your car before the snow starts to fall. The wax will act as protection from salt and dirt from the roads, although a key factor in combating dangerous roads, overtime salt can be corrosive.
When applying the wax, you should be conscious of the parts of the vehicle, including behind the wheels, quarter panels and front grille, due to the wax staying in these places longer.
Inspect all lights
As winter quickly approaches and the nights draw longer and closer, vehicle lighting should be reviewed to ensure maximum visibility for drivers in dark or severe conditions.
When preparing your car for winter, all lights should be inspected including: parking lights, headlights (high and low beam), turn signals/emergency flashers, brake lights, backup lights, interior lights and instrumentation lighting.
Monitor tire pressure
Tire pressure is measured by pounds per square inch (PSI).
In addition, there are specific types of tires that are more suited to winter weather better than others. A good rule of thumb is to at least have an all-season tire when driving in conditions below 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
Defrost and check for cracks
Cracks can be appearing no matter the season, whether it due to a change if temperature or an accident, cracks usually go unmissed till they get too bad to fix. If your car has crack or chips on the windshield they are likely to worsen in winter temperature, be sure to get this fixed before the temperature plummets. I would also recommend replacing wiper blades hat can withhold the turbulent elements and keep the windshield protected.
Defroster and winter go hand in hand and should never be further than a stone throw away to assist with maintaining visibility.
Test your battery
It’s no secret that the cold and damp can severely damage your car battery. We’ve all experienced the dreading groaning noise paired with your battery struggling to start your car. The sudden realisation that your car battery is on its way out is enough to ruin any winter. So, test your car battery yourself or ask a specialist when the early signs begin. Assuming you can start the car, you can drive to your local main dealer or car spares shop to buy a new one. Most car battery stockists will even fit it for you.
Don’t be fooled this winter thinking you need a big truck to plough through the snow, you can also trust smaller and more eco-friendly cars. Hybrids can also perform in the snow and ice, coming in all shapes and size, there is even hybrid Land Rovers and vans equipped with four wheel drive for extra grip in snow and ice.
