Are you looking for ways to prepare your car for the cold winter ahead? Do you want to make sure that it’s ready to brave the cold roads filled with ice and snow? If so, then you need to learn all that you can about how to get your car ready for winter.
For example, you need to have a winter emergency car kit available just in case something unforeseeable were to occur. It’s all about being proactive, such as getting winter tires.
See below for an in-depth guide on how to get your car ready for winter, and all that you need to know before the cold months hit us.
1. Prepare a Winter Emergency Car Kit
As you well know, driving in the wintertime can be a risky situation. It’s even riskier if you’re driving in a car that wasn’t prepared for the winter elements, such as not investing in winter tires before the ice started stacking on the ground. But even when your car is ready for the winter, anything can happen. That’s why it’s important for you to never hit the road without a winter emergency car kit inside the cabin.
But what should you include in that winter emergency car kit? We’re glad you asked! Make sure that, at minimum, your car emergency kit includes:
- Bottled water
- First-aid kit
- Quilted blanket
- Ice scraper
- Jumper cables
- Swiss army knife
- Cones or reflective warning triangles
- Extra windshield wiper fluid
- Flashlight (with fresh batteries)
Having these items can help ensure that you’re safe and have a way to stay warm until help arrives. For example, if your battery dies, then you can bundle up in your blanket, mittens, and a warm hat inside your car until the tow truck or service vehicle comes to help.
Remember, the car can be repaired by a trustworthy car service or mechanic (like us). You and your passengers’ health/safety is priority number one during a side-of-the-road emergency during the winter.
2. Invest in New Tires, or even Winter Tires
Real quick, walk out to your car and inspect your current tires. Do they show signs of balding? Does the tire pressure reading indicate that one tire is flatter than the others?
If your tires are showing any indication of wearing out, then you need to invest in new winter tires for your vehicle. Winter is not the time to try and stretch out the lifespan of your worn-out tires.
When tires start balding, they lose a significant amount of grip, which means that your car won’t be able to produce as well. It will be harder for the vehicle to turn, harder to brake suddenly, harder to keep traction on icy roads, and so on.
Western New York winters have exceptionally snowy and icy roads that will reduce the effectiveness of your anti-lock brakes and all-wheel drive as well. Compound that with your balding tires and it could spell catastrophe for you in the months ahead.
Instead, get your auto mechanic to help you get a brand new set of tires. Be sure to replace them all at once so that you can ensure optimal safety and get your hands on a high-quality warranty from the manufacturer. Let us know if you need help with getting new tires.
3. Give it a Thorough Cleaning
It’s admirable that you would want to keep your car as clean as possible. However, cleaning your car during the winter months might not even be possible once the weather reaches below freezing temperatures—which happens rather quickly in upstate New York.
For that reason, we highly recommend that you give your car a thorough cleaning inside and outside before the winter months pop up. And that means now.
You can either try to perform a DIY car cleaning or hire a professional car detailing service to get the job done right; whichever one you’re more comfortable with! Both the interior and exterior of your car will take a beating from the winter elements. Giving it one more good cleaning, complete with a new coat of wax, can help ensure that it’s ready to take on whatever the Western New York roads throw at it!
4. Check on the Battery
Most car owners know how taxing the summertime can be on their car battery. However, you might be surprised to find out that winter can be just as treacherous for it.
The battery has fewer capabilities and functionality below freezing temperatures. In other words, if your battery is showing signs of wearing out now, it’s 100-percent certain the battery will give out at some point this winter. You can take the battery in to get tested at a trusted auto shop (yes, we do this). If the battery does need to be replaced, we can perform the job quickly and get you back out on the road in no time. That’s one less thing you’ll have to worry about this winter!
5. Ensure Your Heater is Working
You might not have much of a need to test the heater now, but you’re in for a rude awakening if it ceases to work once the temperature drops below freezing.
Give it a test run. Turn the heater on and drive around the block for a few minutes. If the heater works perfectly, then great! If not, then take it to a mechanic right away.
Contrary to popular belief, a heater isn’t just a comfort thing; it’s used to keep your body warm and prevent illness, which (as you know) is more common in the wintertime.
In conclusion: Invest in a Winter Emergency Car Kit and Get Car Ready for Winter Today
Now that you have seen an in-depth guide on how to get your car ready for winter, be sure to invest in a winter emergency car kit right away.
For more information, please begin by reaching out to us via our contact page. We look forward to assisting you further or answering any questions you might have!