Six More Weeks of Winter
Prepping Your Car for Winter Road Trips
Unlike bears and other furry mammals, humans don’t get to hibernate through the winter. Although you might not want to go out in winter weather, staying home isn’t always an option. To help your car remain healthy while driving in low temperatures as well as on ice and snow, take a few steps toward properly winterizing your vehicle.
1. Select a Thinner Motor Oil
In cold weather climates, vehicles need to be equipped with oil that is less likely to freeze when the mercury drops. If you have doubts as to what type of oil is right for your vehicle, check with the manufacturer before your next oil change.
2. Inspect Your Battery
Battery capacity tends to diminish in low temperatures. Check battery fluid regularly during cold weather. Also, inspect cables for cracks or breaks. To check the age of your battery, look for the manufacture date stamped on it. When the time comes to replace your car’s battery, never purchase one with a manufacture date older than six months.
3. Replace Your Tires
A good set of tires is essential to avoiding collisions during the winter. Depending on where you live, you should replace your summer tires with snow tires, or have your car outfitted with a good set of all-weather tires.
4. Prepare for Emergencies on the Road
Before setting out on a road trip in the winter, make sure you have a full emergency kit in case of a breakdown or collision. This kit should include
- Boots
- Blankets
- Radio
- Coolant
- Flashlight
- Washer fluid
- Flares
- Dried fruit, nuts and other sustenance
- Motor oil
Have you prepared your car for the rest of winter?
Regardless of how careful a vehicle owner is, sometimes collisions or other issues occur. Winter is still a time you need to be careful to avoid hitting a deer (we can help you after you’ve had a deer collision as well). If you need help with car repair or tow services this winter, don’t hesitate to call the auto body experts at Collision Center of Andover for assistance.
