Now that we've fully immersed ourselves in the fall, weather is starting to once again become an issue for travel. While the worst we've experienced thus far has been frozen showers and gusty winds, the brunt of winter weather is just a few months away. And with all of the movement and obligations of the coming holidays, now is the time for an auto inspection to account for winterizing your car, preparing you for the coming cold weather driving.
Whether you're making auto repairs to ensure safer travel in icy weather conditions, or you're simply preparing your car for those frigid early mornings, there are a few steps you can take today to ensure safety and well-being in the future. The following are our 5 best, cold weather auto preparation tips.
Repairs
The first point that should be addressed is making sure that your car is in tip top shape repair wise; especially the essential parts that will ground you car in the poorest weather conditions. First of all, make sure that your brakes are up to speed. Icy conditions put added strain on breaks and make them more essential that even. Now would be a good time to replace ineffective windshield wipers as well. For any needed assistance in bringing your auto repairs up to par, enlist the help of a car mechanic who can get it all taken care of in routine fashion.
Supplies
Re-up and stock supplies that you would take for granted without the extra weather conditions. Make sure that you refill the wiper fluid completely; it will be invaluable on cold mornings. Along those lines, we've found that a spray bottle filled with vinegar and water in a 3:1 ratio is a great anti-freezing agent. Simply coat your windshield in the solution every night and your windows should be frost free in the morning. Also, it's a good idea to carry an emergency pack in case of becoming stranded in the worst conditions due to car failure. In the emergency pack, include a thick blanket, some canned foods, a first aid kit, road flares, hazard sign, and a flashlight at the very least.
Battery
Pay particular attention to a car battery in bad weather, as a car battery can be rendered unstable quickly by the unforgiving weather conditions. For a more professional battery cleaning, seek a car mechanic; but a simple amateur job can clean the corrosion and dirt off of connected parts. To clean the battery, simply disconnect BOTH of the cables, and wipe the surface of the battery down with a mixture of water and baking soda. The acidic dirt will be neutralized and wipe away with minimal work. Use a toothbrush to get to the hard to reach places.
Tires
Make sure that your care is outfitted with 4 winterized tires. Any auto performance shop carries them, and they have a much stronger grip on the road that will improve safety considerably. Make sure that your tires are filled as well; a properly filled tired will have better grip and maneuverability as well as save on gas consumption.
Good Driving Practices
Now is the time to begin breaking yourself of the unsafe driving practices that you can get away with in the summer, but probably not the winter. First of all, practice pumping your breaks when you come to a stop. This will prevent you from sliding and encourage safer practice when there is ice on the ground. Next, avoid using cruise control excessively. Cruise control is dangerous for icy stretches or more snake-like roads in the winter. Get used to driving without relying on it now.
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