Facing the harsh winter months requires you to make changes in your daily routine – you bundle up to go outside, you change recreation schedules, and you stay indoors more. Cars, as an essential part of that daily routine, need preparation for the change in seasons, too. Make sure your car is ready for winter driving with a thorough check-up, inside and out. Also take time for a quick review of your car insurance policy – hazardous driving conditions can lead to bad accidents.
First, consider all internal systems. Check the oil and, if necessary, change to an oil with better fluidity in low temperatures. Also check the antifreeze. Your engine requires a 50/50 ratio of antifreeze to water to regulate your engine's temperature. Next, examine all hoses and belts. It is important they are in working condition because extreme temperatures can exacerbate small problems. Look over the battery while you are under the hood and fill up your wiper fluid with a liquid that will spray in freezing temperatures without solidifying on your windshield. Speaking of windshields, also check the efficiency of your defrost and heating systems. As for the fuel tank, keep it at least half-full to minimize condensation and frozen lines. To further prevent this, you may want a fuel additive that removes moisture. Also get your brakes and brake fluid checked. Driving in icy winter conditions is a bad time to discover your brakes are malfunctioning.
Check-up lists must go well beyond a vehicle's internal systems. Make sure the tires are properly inflated and the treads are not worn. Change out wiper blades if your present ones are leaving any streaked spots, and make sure the nozzles on your wiper fluid sprayer are clear. Winter driving also means salt on the roads; so wash and wax your car to give your paint job some protection. Also ensure that all headlights, signals and safety lights are functioning. If you have a rear-wheel drive car, add some weight to your trunk for additional traction; a small bag of sand for sprinkling under the tires also can be handy. Add an emergency kit to the trunk – and check the inflation on your spare.
You need to be fully prepared for the winter months. Join an emergency roadside service and keep the number handy. Some car insurance coverage includes a roadside plan. If not, services like AAA are available for motorists. In fact, AAA recommends that you stay off the road when driving is hazardous; even if you can handle the car well, the person next to you may not.
If you must drive, make sure you have taken these steps to be as prepared as possible. While you are inside this winter, you might as well get free car insurance quotes and see how much you can save against your current policy. It is prudent to review your insurance costs each year in order to keep up to date with available discounts.
