10 Tips for Getting Your Car Ready for Winter

There are only 20 shopping days left until Christmas. Whether you’ll be driving around town to get last-minute gifts, heading home for the holidays, or driving the family to grandma’s house, it’s essential to make sure your car is prepared for winter driving. With these 10 tips from our friends at bliss towing service, your car will stay safe and keep you out of the repair shop during the cold winter months.

There is salt on the roads and sticks to your vehicle’s body due to the winter season and snow around the roads, which is dangerous for the car’s body.
But the question arises: which car wash soap should we use to protect our car’s body from that stubborn salt.
No worries, here we have mentioned 5 things to consider when picking the right soap for foam cannon to make the job quicker and easier for ultimate results.

Specify your temperature range

Temperature extremes are damaging to your car’s sensitive electronic components. Ensure your car’s temperature gauge is not showing “H” or that it does not read below 20 degrees Fahrenheit to protect your heating and air conditioning system.

Tip: Using wool winter socks can help to hold in heat.

If your batteries are not fully charged at the beginning of winter, their capacity decreases by 1 per cent each month. If they aren’t fully charged by December, they may not be able to start your car when the temperatures hit single digits.

Don’t forget about your lights

Your exterior lights help warn other motorists of your presence, but they also allow you to see better when it is dark outside. Check these lights regularly — at least twice a year — for any cracks or fraying. Also, inspect your lights for cleanliness if they don’t seem to be working as well as usual; dirt or debris can drastically reduce their brightness. If you notice that they’re dirty, use a dry, soft cloth to wipe them off gently.

Make Sure Your Fluid Levels Are In Check

Make sure you have enough antifreeze in your car for the winter. If you are unsure, check the owner’s manual or ask a technician who works on your car. Make sure any automatic transmission fluid, power steering fluid, windshield washer fluid, brake fluid, windshield wiper fluid, or coolant has been filled to appropriate levels. Check your owner’s manual to view how much fluid is needed during the low temperatures of winter. Getting an extra container is recommended so you can get all fluids topped off at once and put yourself on a schedule for checking them throughout the winter season.

Change your wiper blades

No one likes to deal with a streaky windshield when it’s snowing. That’s why it’s crucial to have a set of good winter wiper blades for the season. Getting a new set of blades can be a great way to get ready for the storms, no matter where you live. Snow, ice and rain are all factors that require new wiper blades, so don’t wait until they’re out of date before you replace them. Ensure you have the correct size and type of wiper blades for your windshield and your vehicle. Buying a good set of wiper blades is a good investment that will last for more than a year. Here are some tips to make sure you’re making the right choice:

Tip: Consider the location. Wiper blades come in different lengths and widths and feature different degrees of flexibility and suppleness. The length should be around two inches longer than the distance between the windshield’s edge and the edge of any side mirror. The material should be easy to clean, so no grit or grime will chip away at the wiper rubber over time.

By checking out your wiper blades, you’ll know if they should be replaced soon. Clogged wiper nozzles should be flicked off by hand since all it takes is a little sand or debris to wear them down.

Always check your tire pressure. Check tire pressure at least once a month and before you take a long trip. Under-inflated tires not only affect fuel economy but can be dangerous if your tires are under-inflated by 10 pounds or more, the chances of you having an accident increase by over 25%.

Check the Battery

Ensuring that your car battery is in top shape is a crucial step in prepping for winter. Cold weather doesn’t do batteries any favours. If your battery isn’t up to par at the start of winter, it’ll only get worse as temperatures drop, and you’ll have trouble keeping your car running. To prepare before the worst of winter comes around, have your battery tested within the next few weeks to see if it’s still capable of powering your car through temperatures below freezing.

Make sure that your car is registered and up-to-date on its registration. Also, pay attention to your expiration dates for registration and insurance. Note: some states require insurance to be updated regularly, and some allow for registration renewal and insurance renewal to be updated simultaneously. If your state requires insurance and registration updated at different times, make sure you know what your state requires and always follow those guidelines.

Fill up on gas as gas prices spike during the winter season

Filling up on gas can cost more during the winter months when demand and supplies are low. According to AAA, gas prices will increase nationwide an average of 12 cents a gallon this fall. Brr! The forecast said gas could reach $2.80 a gallon in some parts of the country due to the increase in demand from holiday travel. If your car is struggling to make it through a cold winter, AAA has a few helpful tips for getting your vehicle ready, so you can get out of the cold weather without breaking down.

Charge your phone

Nothing is as essential as having a fully charged cellphone as you travel this winter, as cell service is more likely to be down due to weather conditions. Even if you are not using your phone at all times, it must be fully charged if an emergency occurs because you probably will not be able to reach anyone or call for help if your phone is dead.

Staying warm. Sure, heated seats sound great, but keeping yourself warm during cold winter months is crucial. If you’re used to blasting the heat in your car to combat the chill, consider bundling up in layers instead. Ensure all of your windows are rolled up securely and keep the door cracked open so warm air can get out if it builds up inside. And avoid parking in direct sunlight because temperatures can get dangerously hot—as high as 130 degrees! Keeping warm clothing in your car during cold winter months is always a good idea—your warmest gloves, hats, and scarves should be at your fingertips when you get out of the car.

Featured Photo by @shawnanggg on Unsplash