To get your vehicle ready for the cold months, you may need to do some additional things. While in extreme winter weather, you could have some issues that could arise. Newer cars or trucks may not experience so many issues, but you still want to be ready. It can easily save you quite a bit of cash if you stick to some basic tips.
Tire pressure could drop drastically during the winter season because of the cold. If you monitor carefully, you will have better gas mileage and minimize your chances of a flat tire. Be sure that your gas tank is definitely more than a quarter full. Inside older cars, the gasoline lines would likely freeze if the tank was not at least a quarter full though newer cars don’t have this problem. It is best to hold enough gasoline in the tank, in case you become stranded. Make sure that you get an emergency kit which has cold weather gear like gloves and hats. It should also contain some tools, flashlight, flares and jumper cables.
Because some fluids will likely be affected by the cold, be sure that you have all of them examined before winter hits. You need to make sure that your cooling system is in right order especially if the temperature goes below freezing. A lot of expensive engine breakdowns are the result of an improperly maintained cooling system. Examine the antifreeze level routinely throughout the winter. It is advisable to also have liquid for your windshield washer that will not freeze during the winter. It’s adviseable to have your battery pack checked to determine if it can last through the winter. You’ll want to get rid of any corrosion you may have around the battery terminal so your car can properly start. The life of your electric battery can be cut short as a result of extreme cold of winter. To get additional protection, make sure those jumper cables sit in your vehicle at all times.
Your car may not be quite ready for an oil change, nevertheless do it anyway. When it comes to an older car, you may want to use a light weight oil to keep components lubricated in the cold weather. Newer cars already use lighter oil so it is not an issue. If you haven’t ever changed them yet, you must also replace your wiper blades for the winter. The new blades are going to be more effective in wiping off the ice and slush that collects. You could already have to put snow tires on your car before the snow commences coming. To help to make it much easier, you might want to get all-season radial tires.
You should make sure that you are prepared before the winter weather rolls in. If you aren’t conscientious, you may find yourself in a ton of trouble in the thick of winter. Don’t forget to plan ahead and start working on it now.