NEW YORK, NY – If you live in a part of the United States that gets hit especially hard by the winter weather, you know how important it can be to make sure your vehicle is ready to tackle the snow and ice-filled roads. With that being said, this article will present some very easy tips to prepare your car for harsh, cold weather in order to keep you safe when out gallivanting around town.
Basically, there are five very easy steps that practically anyone can follow to make sure their cars are ready for the slick winter roadways.
Step one involves making sure you have a set of quality all-terrain or snow tires on your vehicle, and that there is plenty of tread on them. In order to ascertain that the amount of tread on your tires is sufficient, you can conduct what is known as the “penny test.” That is, taKe a penny – with President Abraham Lincoln’s head pointed downward – and place it into the tire’s tread. If the top of Lincoln’s head is exposed when you do this, it’s time to take a trip to your local tire shop and get a new set.
Second, always make sure your tires are inflated correctly, as the cold winter weather can cause the pressure in your tires to decrease; it won’t matter if you have a fancy new set of top-of-the line snow tires on your car if they’re not properly inflated, as they will be sure to cause you issues.
Making sure you can see the roadway at all times while driving in the winter is another vital tip; when weather gets bad, make sure to change your standard wiper blades with winter ones, as they are larger and can better handle removing ice, snow, and road salt from your windshield. Keeping an extra bottle of washer fluid in your car is highly recommended as well.
Also, always stay on top of your antifreeze levels; make sure you have the correct amount of and type, and always make a point of flushing out your cooling system and put in a fresh batch of antifreeze every two years.
And the last tip – but certainly not the least – is to always check your battery’s charge, as the cold winter weather can drain its power very quickly; have it tested, and if the charge is low, preemptively replace it. In addition, regularly inspect the battery terminals for any corrosion.
Driving in the winter can be hazardous, but if you follow these basic tips, your chances of arriving home safe and in one piece can dramatically increase.
Christopher Boyle is an investigative journalist, videographer, reporter and writer for SEARCHEN NETWORKS® as well as other independent news and media organizations in the United States. Christopher works on a wide variety of topics and fields, has been featured in print and online in a variety of publications, from local to national, and helps keep a keen-eye on what’s happening in the automotive world for Auto Buyers Market.