Winter weather can be quite hard on your vehicle. Cold temperatures tend to increase the wear-and-tear on your engine while reducing your overall fuel economy. Furthermore, wintertime brings on an abundance of road hazards such as rock salt and potholes, not to mention inclement weather. Luckily, you can easily minimize the negative effects of winter driving by performing a number of basic car maintenance and inspection procedures.
1. Install All-Season or Winter Tires
Your tires are what connect your car to the road and let you stay in control while driving. As such, it’s extremely important that you periodically check that your tires have ample tread remaining. If the tread has worn away beyond the wear-indicator, replace your tires immediately to avoid dangerous driving characteristics.
Most vehicles come stock with midrange all-season tires which are tuned to perform in all weather conditions. However, swapping your tires for winterized all-season tires can offer improved performance in the cold weather. If you live in an area that receives a lot of snowfall, you can swap your stock tires for winter-specific snow tires for maximum handling performance. However, don’t wait until inclement weather strikes to change out your tires. Use research tools such as online databases to find high-quality cheap tires that are well-reviewed by other drivers. Make sure you have your tires replaced and balanced before bad weather hits your area.
2. Periodically Check the Tire Pressure
Since cold air is denser than warm air, your tire pressure will drop whenever the temperature outside falls. Because of this, it’s extremely important that you periodically check your tire pressure throughout the winter. Refer to your car owner’s manual to find out what the suggested tire pressure is, then simply use a pressure gauge to check the psi level of all four tires. Even being off by two or three psi can hinder your car’s handling performance, so make a habit of checking the tire pressure on a weekly basis. If you don’t have access to a tire pump, most gas stations feature air compressors so that you can properly inflate your tires whenever you stop to refuel.
3. Routine Engine Maintenance
Cold weather causes increased stress on many vital engine components. As such, properly winterizing your car requires that you stay up-to-date on all of the routine maintenance procedures suggested in your owner’s manual. This includes changing all fluids such as the engine oil, transmission fluid, washer fluid, and radiator coolant. The oil and air filters should also be replaced if necessary.
In addition to routine maintenance, perform a thorough inspection of all engine and suspension components. Pay especially close attention to rubber components such as gaskets and hoses, and replace them if there are any signs of cracking or dry rot. Also, have your battery voltage-tested and replaced if necessary. The cold weather can make it much harder for your engine to start, and you don’t want a worn-out battery leaving you stranded this winter.
4. Protect Your Car’s Exterior
While your car’s exterior doesn’t necessary affect driving safety, you still want your car to stay looking as new as possible by the time spring comes around. Winter driving can do a number on your car’s appearance. Road salt and other debris tends to wear out your paint job while also increasing the risk of rust, especially to the underside of your vehicle. To avoid this, keep your car clean throughout the winter. Use proper soap and a pressure sprayer (available at virtually every car wash) to remove salt and other debris from your car’s exterior before it becomes corrosive. Also, periodically apply a fresh coat of wax to keep your paint protected from salt and other debris
5. Carry an Emergency Kit
No matter how much preventative maintenance you perform, you can never rule out the possibility of accidents and mechanical malfunctions. To keep yourself safe and prepared, always carry an emergency kit in your car. Your kit should include basic tools to perform a tire change and other on-the-go maintenance procedures, as well as safety items such as road flares and first-aid supplies. You should also pack an extra set of winter clothing such as a thick coat and gloves so that you can stay warm in the event that you become stranded while driving.
While sometimes it’s impossible to avoid accidents and mechanical malfunctions, diligent car maintenance and extra care while driving will go a long way in keeping you and your car safe on the roads this winter.