Preparing Your Car or Truck for Winter

It’s a good idea to take care of your automobile or truck as soon as possible before the onset of winter. Winter weather and road conditions will be different than they were during the warmer months so if you want to have an easier time getting around and to extend the life of your automobile you should do what you can to make sure it is winterized. This article includes some tips on how to effectively winterize your automobile. Preparing your car or truck for winter doesn't have to be difficult or time-consuming.

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Check Your Battery

Cold weather may cause strain on your vehicle's battery; when cold weather sets in, the performance of your vehicle's battery is reduced. Get your battery tested this season because if your battery is over three years old, then you should be considering replacing it. The cold weather contributes to approximately 70% of battery failures during the colder months of the year. Be prepared now so that you will not become stranded in freezing conditions.

Inspect Your Tires

Your tires provide the necessary traction and control on slippery roads. Perform the "penny" test for tire tread wear; place a penny into the tire tread so that Lincoln's head is facing downward. If you can view the top of Lincoln's head, then it is time to replace your tires. In addition, ensure that your tires are at the manufacturer recommended inflation level. Investing in winter tires, particularly in areas with high snowfall amounts, will improve your vehicle's traction by as much as 30%.

Change Your Oil

Changing your motor oil prior to the onset of winter is important to maintain a smooth-running engine. Winter-grade oil will help your oil flow properly at the lower temperatures you may experience. Changing from a 10W-30 grade oil to a 5W-30 will make a significant difference in how easily your car starts in the cold. By making this simple change, it may be possible to eliminate problems with starting your car in colder temperatures that many drivers encounter during the winter months.

Check Your Antifreeze

Using antifreeze prevents your engine from freezing as temperatures drop. In addition to having enough antifreeze, check to see if the mixture of antifreeze and water is suitable for the cold temperatures you will be experiencing. The most commonly used ratio is 50 percent antifreeze and 50 percent water. When using this 50/50 ratio, the boiling temperature of your engine increases by approximately 265 degrees Fahrenheit and the freezing point decreases to approximately -34 degrees Fahrenheit. This ensures maximum protection of your engine from the cold.

Inspect Your Wipers and Lights

Visually seeing what is ahead of you while driving in winter conditions is crucial. Make sure your windshield wipers are in good condition and change them if they are damaged or no longer functioning properly. Also, use windshield washer fluid that has been specifically designed to prevent freezing in the winter. Finally, check to see that all of your vehicles' lights are working. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), approximately 30 percent of all winter-related crashes are caused by poor visibility.

A snow-covered car hood ready for winter

Prepare an Emergency Kit

While its not a pleasant thought that you may be bound to a snowstorm, preparation is the key to succeeding. For the emergency kits you plan on having accessible should contain things such as the following:

• A warm blanket

• A flashlight with extra batteries

• A small first-aid kit

• Non-perishable snacks (we like granola bars)

• A compact shovel

  
  

So now you have the necessities to more than encounter discomfort and need for safety in case you become involved in any unexpected situations.

Keep Your Fuel Tank Full

Another thing to remember even when traveling winter avenue is to keep the gasoline in your fuel tanks always at least half full. This on one hand prevents the freezing of the fuel lines and also guarantees that you have bulbs for heating if you become confined within your confines indoors through excessive weather storms or have ether forgotten to avoid them or are involved in unexpected traffic troubles. This condition is also occasionally met with detours over other pathways or being delayed on the main highways from meeting storm disturbances.

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Get Ready for Winter Roads

Winterizing your car or truck is relatively easy and important. These simple ways to prepare will help make sure that you are able to get through what ever winter brings. With these few things done before hand, you will be able to feel more confident when driving during the winter months. Get ready and have a safe winter!

Alternatively, you can reach out to us here at Grease Gun Mobile, and we'll take care of the rest.