In winter, it’s even more difficult to drive a car on the roads since it’s slippery from being covered in snow, sleet, mud, and so on. Most of the time, early in the morning you even scrape ice off the windshield and wait for your car to warm up.
If you want to prevent unnecessary costs and repairs, you’ll need to maintain your car for a winter road trip. We’ve compiled a list of the most common tips you’ll need to follow before going on a trip. Let’s dive in!
1. Check Tires
First of all, you need to switch to winter tires once the temperature is below 7 degrees Celsius. While your tires are crucial in any season, they are much more important in winter. Driving in snowy conditions will be easier with good tires. Tire replacement is required since summer tires cannot be used in the winter and vice versa. When you switch to winter tires, your experience of driving a car becomes smoother with its special rubber compounds, tread patterns, and biting edges that are all made for proper vehicle control on slippery roads. Also, have a spare tire as you don’t know what may happen on the road.
Besides a tire change, it’s essential to check your tire pressure in winter. To avoid a blowout, make sure your tires are correctly filled. Your tires lose a pound of pressure for every ten degrees that the temperature lowers, resulting in poor gas efficiency and an increased risk of crashes. Driving with low tire pressure is dangerous because it can lead to premature tire damage. Check your tire pressure using the owner’s manual or look on a placard and when you see the level is low, top it up.
2. Inspect The Defroster and Heater
In the winter, your car’s heater keeps you warm while your defroster protects your windows from fogging and freezing up. Your car will have a hard time handling winter conditions like ice buildup if these systems aren't working correctly, and your trip will become both unsafe and uncomfortable.
Through the defroster, you can keep the inside and outside of your windshield clean. If you see the road clearly, you’ll be able to prevent accidents and collisions.
Always inspect the heater as well to see if it works at all speeds. Once, you see that one of these systems doesn’t work properly, it’s time to take measures to fix the problem.
Also, consider checking for wipers. They should wipe the windows without streaking or leaving areas that make visibility difficult. Windshield wipers are used to clean your car's windows so that you can see well. Wiper fluid is regularly used to keep your windshield clean. To avoid running out of windshield wiper fluid, check the level regularly and fill it up if required. Consider using a wiper fluid that can withstand cold weather.
3. Consider Your Vehicle Lighting
Since the sun sets sooner in the winter, it's critical to make sure your vehicle's lights are in working order for safe winter driving. You need to inspect your car’s headlights, signal lights, and brake lights to ensure that the road is visible and the trip is safe. In winter, the day ends earlier and it becomes darker more quickly than in summer, so it’s more crucial than ever to consider the importance of working lights.
Remember that the lights of your car not only help you see
the road clearly but also help other drivers to navigate your movements on the
road. With that in mind, always remember to clear the snow off your front and
backlights, and whenever you feel that they are on their way to dimming,
replace them as soon as you can.
4. Change The Oil
Many mechanics will tell you that changing your oil is the simplest method to increase the life of your car. As you may know, oil is essential for the engine's different components to get lubricated. It minimizes the heat and friction which can lead to quick wear of engine parts. Over time, the oil reduces its ability to lubricate the engine and absorb heat because of fast-moving elements.
That is why you should get your vehicle's oil changed. If you keep using the same oil, your engine is likely to overheat or seize completely. Maintain your engine’s performance by changing the oil. By the way, if you have a busy schedule and don’t want to waste time taking your car to a nearby station, consider a mobile oil change to get all the work completed on-site.
5. Inspect The Battery
Colder temperatures make it more difficult for your battery to work correctly, resulting in a weak or dead battery throughout the winter. Examine your car's battery at least twice a year. If you discover any difficulties with your car batteries before you go on a road trip, see a specialist.
These were some of the most common ways to maintain your
car during winter trips. Double-check and use them as a guideline before
traveling. Have a safe trip!
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