It’s important to make sure you prepare your vehicle for the winter season well in advance to avoid the negative effects of snow and ice, and how can we forget – hail! Not only snow, but hail can also harm your car by causing major damage to the body and paint. You can always get insurance for your car and have a Paintless Dent Repair job done (which might incur a lot of expense for you, but is a good option so as to not devalue your car). Other than this, warming up your engine before driving is vital to avoid damaging your vehicle, but there are still several other precautions you need to take. Let’s talk about some of them so you can carefully prepare your car for this winter.
1. Snow rakes.
When you live in a snowy area, it’s important to keep a snow rake in your vehicle at all times. This way, when you get stuck or need to clean off the snow on your car for safety’s sake, you’re prepared and ready!
The Shuttsco Snow Rake is an excellent choice as it won’t damage or scratch your car as low-quality rakes do. It also features an ergonomic design that makes it easy to use. In fact, the Shuttsco Snow Rake is the preferred tool used among car dealerships because of how effective it works to remove large quantities of snow. If you’re interested, be sure to visit MBR Marketing at https://mbrmarketing.com/the-original-shuttsco-sno-rake as they offer great prices on this snow broom.
2. Wear a pair of work gloves.
Work gloves should be another item that comes standard when driving during the winter season as well. Not only do they protect your hands from blistering cold winds or snow, but they’ll also keep your fingers warm while you’re out shovelling or scraping ice off your windows. Keep a warm pair of work gloves in your car so you can access them quickly when needed.
3. Ensure your engine is running properly.
Check under your hood and make sure that everything is in working order before it gets too cold outside and you have no way of starting up the engine. Make sure nothing has been cracked from previous years or another issue. If there’s any problem with something like head gaskets, get them fixed as soon as possible, so they don’t blow when the weather turns colder!
4. Removing snow and items from the top of your car.
Take off anything on top of your vehicle that could slide around due to ice or cause damage – such as bike racks or cargo carriers. These items can be dangerous during an accident. Also, make sure you remove all the snow from the top of your car as it can also be hazardous while driving. Snow that flies off your car can block the view of another driver.
5. Have an emergency kit handy.
Store an emergency kit with items that will help you in case of a breakdown is important. To be extra careful, your kit should include a tow rope, flares or reflective triangles (to signal cars), jumper cables, and a flashlight with extra batteries. It might be a good idea to carry a first-aid kit as well in case somebody gets injured.
6. Keep a pair of ice scraper windshield wiper blades on hand.
Keeping these handy is vital if you live or drive through areas where roads ice over regularly during the winter months. Ice scraper wipers make it easy to remove any glaze from your windows so that your vision doesn’t get blocked while driving in poor winter conditions. Especially during extreme conditions, these wipers can be a lifesaver.
7. Drive with a full tank of gas.
Drivers must always carry enough gas to last them through any potential weather-related situation. Whenever the weather isn’t too bad and before long trips, always fill your gas in case of an expected emergency. You can also store a large container of gas that can be easily transferred in case your tank runs out. The tank may be useful to help another person out as well.
8. Keep a blanket handy for cold mornings.
Blankets can be very convenient when you have to run into the store or post office. You know how cold it is outside, so make sure to bundle up before running errands on chilly days. It’s also helpful to keep a lighter and matches with you at all times, as well as salt and sand, just in case of an emergency situation where they’re needed, such as your car breaking down.
9. Double-check all tire pressures.
The last thing you’ll want is to be stuck somewhere because your tires are completely flat or have a slow leak. Make sure they’re at the recommended pressure level. If they’re not, take them into a shop for repairs before it becomes an emergency. If you suddenly find that your tire pressure is low while driving, the first place you should head to is an auto repair shop.
10. Winter tires with spikes or chains and a spare tire
If you find yourself stranded on the side of the highway without any help coming, it would be nice if all your tires were equipped with better traction than what they have now. In other words, change your tires into reliable and safe winter tires to overcome harsh winter conditions.
A spare can also be a lifesaver in case you get stuck on the road and need to make an emergency change of tires. This is especially important for those who live up North where snowstorms can be unpredictable.
11. Keeping your battery in top shape.
Never forget about your battery! It needs to be in top shape with clean terminals, corrosion-free connections, and a sufficient water level. If not, it could leave you stranded when temperatures drop below freezing this winter. You may want to consider installing new batteries before snow starts falling too hard outside. There’s nothing worse than returning to your car only to find out that the battery has died.
You should never wait until the last minute to prepare for winter weather. Keeping yourself and the people around you safe must always be a top priority. Be proactive about being prepared now so you can enjoy the winter months to the fullest.
