Preparing Your Car for Winter

As much as I hate to say it, the cold weather is right around the corner. Now I know you’re thinking you don’t have anything to worry about until it snows, but when it starts snowing, it’s too late to prepare. Preparation is very important this time of year when it comes to your car, and many people overlook this. Giving yourself plenty of time to look your car over before it snows will give you the confidence you need to drive safely this winter.
Check Your Tires
Making sure you have adequate tires for winter driving is very important. Most drivers believe that all tires are the same and it doesn’t make a difference what kind you have. This could not be any further from the truth. Having winter tires allows you to drive in snow better than a summer tire due to the tread design. Now would be the perfect time to inspect your car’s tires to see if they need to be replaced. If you have a front wheel drive car, you can rotate your tires from back to front if the current rear tires are in good shape, but if you have a 4 wheel or all-wheel drive vehicle, it is recommended to replace all 4 at the same time.   Tires are the biggest factor in driving safely in the winter, so checking and replacing your tires, if you need to, has to become a priority sooner rather than later.
Get Your Brakes Checked
While you are looking over your tires, it would make sense to check the current condition of your brakes at the same time. If you are unsure when the last time was that you had your brakes replaced, it would be smart to look them over before winter. Having a mechanic look over your brakes is recommended if you are not familiar with working on cars. Having good brakes and tires will allow you to stop better in the snow, which will give you more control over your car. Here’s a quick tip: if you start sliding on ice, do not hit the brakes. This will do more harm than good and you will only slide more.
Inspect Your Battery and Electrical System
Before it gets too cold out you should take the time to have your car’s battery and electrical system checked. You can go to any major auto parts store and they should be able to test it for you. It would be a great idea to have jumper cables in your car, so you can use them to jump start yours with another car if your car won’t start. If your car is having a hard time starting, your battery may be the culprit of this and should be replaced, especially if it is getting old. Colder weather takes a toll on your cars starting and charging system and the last thing you want is to be stranded because your car won’t start.
Get Your Cooling System Checked
One of the first things you should do before winter comes is to check that your cooling system is up to par. It is recommended that you get your cooling system flushed every 2 or 3 years to get the old antifreeze out because it breaks down over time and becomes less effective. One benefit of having your cooling system tested is you may find something wrong such as a sticking thermostat or a clogged heater core. Either one of these issues will cause drastic over cooling or heating, and depending on the issue, you will not have working heat in your car. Also, if you are low on coolant your car can overheat and that can cause detrimental damage to your motor. Finding out you may have a potential issue now and fixing it before it snows will only allow your car to run at its best when you depend on it.
Keep Useful Items Handy
Having an emergency bag in your car is always a good idea, especially when it gets cold. Many stores have these kits available for a good price, and include everything you might need. Most kits come with jumper cables, flares, flashlight, etc. Along with these items it would also be wise to keep a small tool kit in your car. You can throw together a bag with basic hand tools and that should be enough to fix smaller things. An ice scraper is also recommended because sooner or later you will have to use one this year.
The majority of car owners on the road today are unaware of how to take proper care of their cars, and get mad if something needs to be replaced. What many people don’t understand is that a car is a machine and needs to be maintained. I understand that repairs can be expensive and working on a car can seem intimidating, but it’s really not. If you have access to simple hand tools and can search the internet, you can work on your car to save yourself thousands of dollars. Don’t get left out in the cold because you neglected to maintain your car. Take the time to make sure everything is ready for the winter – you’ll be glad you did!
Keeping yourself safe is a top priority, contact the professionals at Ion Insurance today for an auto quote designed to fit your needs.