With winter approaching you’ll need to use your car more than ever. It’s important to take good care of your car and prepare it for the coming winter months. Low temperatures and snowfall can seriously damage your car, leaving you stranded without a ride in the cold. If you want to make sure your car is prepared for the harsh winter ahead, just follow these simple steps.
Change Your Oil
In summer your car engine needs protection from the heat, that’s why you should use thicker motor oil. Before winter arrives, it’s time to switch out that oil for a thinner grade oil, to protect your car from freezing temperatures. [1] Switching to thinner grade oil will help your engine start quickly on those cold winter mornings.
Buy a Winter Emergency Kit
Nobody likes to get stuck in a snowstorm, but it’s a good idea to prepare for the worst. Load your trunk with some winter essentials like blankets, water bottles, and conserved foods to help in the chance of an emergency. This way you will be protected from the elements regardless of where you are.
Switch out Your Tires
Winter tires are built to withstand icy roads and cold temperatures. The tire treads are made specially to increase the traction when driving on icy roads. [2] Be sure to switch out your summer tires for winter tires before the first snow hits.
Check Your Car Battery
Visit your local mechanic and make sure your car battery is functioning properly before winter comes. Low power car batteries will cause you trouble when you try to start your car in the cold. If your car battery is low, the best thing you can do is replace your car battery with a new one. This will ensure that you don’t get stranded on the road in winter.
Refill Your Antifreeze
Antifreeze is the fluid in your car that helps stop the engine from freezing in the winter. Always remember to regularly check the antifreeze levels in your car. You should always mix antifreeze with distilled water in a 50/50 ratio. If you make the mistake of filling your antifreeze tank with pure distilled water, your engine will surely freeze.
Keep Your Gas Tank Full
If you drive on an almost empty gas tank during the winter, you are risking freezing your fuel lines. If your tank is nearly empty, condensation will likely form. Too much condensation can cause the fuel lines of your engine to freeze up.
Wax Your Car
If you want to keep your car’s paint job flawless, you should get it waxed before winter. During winter months roads are often salted and slushy. This combination of salt and melted snow can to serious damage to the exterior of your car. Getting your car waxed will give it an extra protective layer against winter roads. You can get your car waxed and ready for winter at any local carwash. This little investment will significantly extend the lifespan of your car.
1. https://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/car-technology/a53/what-oil-does-my-car-take/
2. https://www.bridgestonetire.com/tread-and-trend/drivers-ed/winter-snow-tires-vs-all-season-tires
3. https://www.rac.co.uk/drive/advice/winter-driving/getting-started-in-the-cold/