With winter just around the corner, snowy weather and rain picking up. Driving on the road can become more dangerous with situational hazards and intense weather. That’s why AC Transmission is going to give you some tips on how to winterize a car so that you can have a safe winter.
Why Winterize Your Car?
Everyone knows that driving in the snow can be dangerous. But when people think about preparing cars for winter, they’re not always focusing on the vehicle itself. Without taking the proper precautions, even a week-long snowstorm could do lasting damage to your car. Tire pressures fluctuate easily in cold weather, which could, in certain instances, wear down the rims itself or even cause an accident. This is just one of many examples.
How to Winterize a Car
The first step for preparing cars for winter is to make sure everything in the car (from the engine and brakes to the windshield wipers and fuel nozzle) is in perfect working order. Even one minor hiccup could cause a major inconvenience for you. This is why bringing your car into the shop for a thorough check-up is an essential step in preparing cars for winter.
It’s especially important to ensure that the battery is working perfectly because the cold weather can really put a strain on it and lessen its efficacy. No one wants to get stuck in a snowstorm because their battery died, so if your mechanic says you need a replacement battery, take them up on it.
Another cold-weather car tip is preparing the windshield wipers. Obviously, these are important for visibility but adding antifreeze windshield fluid will help to prevent ice build-up when you use them. Putting equal parts of water and antifreeze in your radiator is important when you winterize cars as it will make sure that it doesn’t freeze over. The anti-freeze (also known as coolant) will change the freezing point of the water.
Preparing Cars for Winter: Safe Driving
During the winter, not only the roads are hectic, but the other drivers are as well. You can’t control how they drive, but you can take a few precautions to protect yourselves from any mistakes they make. Giving yourself extra room behind the car in front of you will give you extra time to stop if they slam on their brakes. Slowing your speed by 10 to 20 mph (depending on the speed limit) in busy areas and windy mountain roads will also give you the opportunity to safely maneuver, should another car swerve in your lane.
Cold Weather Car Tips
One way to help your car withstand the winter is to keep it in your garage as often as possible. Additionally, try not to let your gas tank drop down to less than half-full, in case you get stuck in traffic. This is an important cold-weather car tip because a lot of cars go through gas quicker during the winter, partly because of the more strenuous driving conditions and partly because the cold weather slows down the inner mechanisms and fluids of the vehicle.
When mapping out how to winterize your car, AC Transmission is always here to answer your questions or provide service to your car. To speak to a member of our staff or schedule an appointment, call (303) 279-7033.
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