Winter weather is coming. Is your car ready? Many drivers forget about their cars until they end up stranded on the side of the road. With a little bit of attention now, you can be well prepared for whatever driving conditions you face.
Have Your Car Serviced
Before winter hits in full force, take your car in for a routine service and oil change appointment. Your mechanic will check all of its systems and parts to ensure they are in good working order. Why is this important in the winter? If your car breaks down in winter, you could be facing an emergency situation. Being stranded on the side of the road in cold weather is much more dangerous than being stranded on a pleasant summer day, so make sure your car is in good shape to prevent a breakdown.
Check the Cooling System
Have your mechanic check your antifreeze to ensure it is ready to stay in liquid form, no matter how cold the temperatures dip. If you have less than a 50/50 mix of antifreeze and water, your car may not be protected when temperatures drop below zero. A 50/50 mix protects your car at temperatures up to 34 degrees below zero.
Check the Windshield Wipers
When it starts to snow and ice, your windshield wipers will be your first line of defense to ensure you can continue to see while driving. Make sure they are in good condition, and replace them if they are showing signs of wear. Also, make sure the windshield washer reservoir is full, because the salt spray in winter weather can make visibility difficult.
Keep the Gas Tank Full
The winter is not the time to run the car near empty. There's just too much risk that you could end up in a ditch. Plus, without gas in the tank, you could end up without a way to heat the car. Keep the tank half full at all times to prevent a tragedy.
Test the Defrost System
You need a working defrost system to ensure that you have visibility at all times. Make sure the rear window defroster is working, and check the defrost on the front windshield as well. You need to be able to see in order to drive safely, and the defrost systems are a key component of maintaining visibility.
Stock the Right Supplies
Finally, make sure your vehicle is stocked with the right supplies. One of the best winter driving tips to keep in mind is to prepare for the unexpected. Your winter supply should contain:
- Large snowbrush with ice scraper
- A bag of sand to give your tires traction
- Extra windshield washer fluid
- A blanket
- Extra warm clothes
- A few bottles of water and some nonperishable snacks
Remember, it's unlikely that you'll get stuck in a serious blizzard for hours, but it could happen. You need to be prepared!
Choose the Right Tires
Finally, make sure you have the right tires for winter driving. Winter weather or snow tires have specially designed treads, sometimes with studs in them, designed specifically for excellent traction on slick roads. In areas where snow is rare, all-season tires are a good option as well to provide traction in those times when the road gets slick.
Are you in need of new winter tires? Tires By Web has a large selection of winter tires, including
Nokian Tires, to help keep your vehicle steady on the road. Browse our winter and snow tires today, or call 800-576-1009 to learn more about our options.
Labels: Nokian Tires, Winter, Winter Driving, Winter Safety