Your car can take a beating during the winter. Salted streets, ice on the road, freezing temperatures, and snow can take a toll on your vehicle. We’ve pulled some quick tips from AutoTrader to help you keep your vehicle in tip-top shape this winter and keep you on the road safely!
Lights
The sun sets earlier in the winter, and on the east coast that can be as early as 4:00 p.m. You need to check your lights regularly to make sure each one is working. Less daylight means you will be using these more often, especially during commutes to and from work. Replace any bulbs that are out, remove any snow covering your lights before you head out, and consider replacing headlights if they are hazy or yellow. You want your lights to provide the brightest illumination possible.
Battery
There is nothing like being stuck in the cold with a dead car battery. Your vehicle battery will have a harder time working in colder weather. This can cause a battery that was weak in the summer to completely give out in the winter. Have your battery tested to determine if a new one is needed. If the results show a weak battery, buy a new one as soon as possible to avoid any future failures.
Coolant
You may have heard about your vehicle’s coolant, or antifreeze, before. This is very important for your vehicle as it keeps the engine from freezing over in cold temperatures. Have the coolant flushed and refilled to make sure you are prepared for freezing temperatures.
Tires
Consider investing in winter tires. An all-wheel-drive vehicle is great when accelerating, but not when you brake or turn. That is where your tires come in. Winter tires are made to withstand temperatures that are regularly below 45 degrees. You will also want to monitor your tire pressure. Cold temperatures can make the pressure fluctuate causing low pressure.
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Heat
Was your air conditioning not working properly during the summer? You will definitely want to have it looked at going into winter. The last thing you want is to find out the heat also isn’t working when it is 20 degrees outside. Your vehicle’s heat is used for multiple purposes in the winter. It helps to keep you warm and helps to defrost your windows.
Keep these tips in mind when getting back out on the road this winter to keep driving safe!
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