The days when you had to winterize your car are long gone. With today’s technology, modern cars are designed to perform their best even in harsh weather. Nevertheless, there are still some ‘treatments’ your car needs during the winter season for the longest lasting performance.
Tips for winterizing your car:
Regularly check your car battery
Besides other factors, extremely low temperatures can be very harsh on your car battery and shorten its lifespan. The engine needs more energy to get started during the winter months. That is why you need to check the battery regularly and ensure it functions well.
All that so that you don’t end up stuck in the middle of the road, not knowing what to do, wishing you had taken a better care of your car battery when you had the chance. Here is a post I wrote a few weeks ago about the average lifespan of your car battery and how to extend it.
Get snow tires and check your tire pressure regularly
Whether you need to drive through snow and ice for a relatively short distance or you live in a place where winter seems to last forever, snow tires are a must. No matter how careful you are while driving, snow tires are the ones that help you improve the traction of your car. Moreover, they will keep you and those around you safe on the road.
Furthermore, tire pressure can quickly reduce when temperatures drop. Make sure your car tires are at all times properly inflated and refill them whenever you need to. In some areas drivers are advised and sometimes even required to use chains, so keep that in mind as well before you start the engine.
Use the right engine oil
Low temperatures don’t only reduce the tire pressure, but also the effectiveness of the engine oil. That’s why during the cold months you need to make sure you are using the right oil for your engine and adjust the viscosity. For more detailed information, check the owner’s manual.
Install wiper blades for clearer visibility
Though wiper blades can last for a year or two, they are also a necessity when trying to winterize your car. A clear vision reduces your chances of getting in an accident. But ice built-up might be the reason for faulty wiper blades. That is why replacing wiper blades during the winter is recommended.
Replacing your belts and hoses, checking the anti-freeze mixture, and stocking your car with emergency supplies such as flares, boots, first aid kit, flashlight, a bag of sand and a shovel, blankets, coolant, ice scraper, batteries, jumper cables, fluid, matches, washer, engine oil, and food is always a smart move. Better safe than sorry.
Do you have any other tips for winterizing your car? If yes, share them with us in the comments below.
