Winter can be tough on a vehicle. With cold nighttime temperatures and unpredictable conditions while out on the road, you need to make sure your car is up to the challenge. Below, you will find six helpful tips that you can use to ‘winterize’ your car. By taking some of these simple steps, you should be able to make it through to spring without much trouble. Of course, if you need to purchase a quality new or used vehicle and are shopping dealerships in Greensboro, make sure to keep Green Lincoln high on your list.
You want to make sure your vehicle is ready to deal with rain and frozen precipitation during the winter months, so this is a good time to check on your wiper blades. Switching out wiper blades is an easy task, and an affordable one, as well. If you’ve noticed that your old blades aren’t moving water away as easily as they once did, change them out right away.
The battery in your vehicle can be an overlooked component. In cold weather, an old battery will have a harder time performing as compared to when the temperatures are warmer. Consider having your battery tested to see if it’s time to replace it.
As the temperatures drop – especially overnight – your tire pressure can fall, as well. Cold weather causes air to contract, meaning there’s less volume filling up your tires than there was when the weather was warm. This is another point that has a very easy solution – just stop by any facility where you can check your tire pressure, such as a gas station with an air pump. Take a measurement of each tire before deciding if it needs to be topped off.?Also, be aware of the low tire pressure sensor on your dashboard.
Depending on where you are planning to drive during the winter, you might want to add an emergency kit to make sure you are prepared in the event of a winter storm leaving you stranded. Some non-perishable food supplies, first aid kit, and a warm blanket make for a great start. Of course, the items you add to your kit should be tailored specifically to the kinds of places you intend on traveling.
There are a few mechanical points that can be checked as cold temperatures settle in. For example, belts can be weakened when the weather is cold, especially if those belts are old and slightly worn out to begin with. Of course, winter or not, it’s a good idea to keep up with your vehicle’s maintenance to make sure it is ready for the rigors of the road.
This doesn’t have anything to do with the performance of your vehicle, but it is a nice idea to keep your car clean throughout the winter months. Since there is likely to be more dirt and debris on the road, you might find yourself heading to the car wash a little more often than you would during the summer.