5 Tips To Caring For Your Car In The Winter

Winter is practically the most dreaded season by car owners. From freezing temperatures to icy roads to salted streets and heavy snow, the experience is always a rough one.

 

There are, however, a few things you can do to make sure that your car is properly cared for during this season.

 

Here are 5 tips to caring for your car in the winter:

1. Keep Your Tire Pressure Up

You should pay close attention to your tire pressure during the winter season, the reason being that the pressure tends to drops with the drop in air temperature.

Your tires can lose a pound per square inch for every 10º drop of the air temperature.

Driving your car with low-pressure tires will result in the tires wearing out quickly as well as tread separation which is extremely dangerous as it would result in a serious accident.

If you find your tire pressure low, ensure that you fill it up in the nearest filling station before driving off.

2. Keep Your Petrol And Washer Fluid Full

Petrol and washer fluid are two very important elements in your car that you should aim to keep full throughout the winter season.

The reason for having your gas tank full of petrol is that it will prevent freezing of the accumulated water inside the fuel pump.

A full windshield washer reservoir, on the other hand, will come in handy to allow for constant cleaning of the window from the road debris that accumulate as a result of the snow storms.

 

3. Ensure That Your Car Has Coolant

Coolant which is also known as an antifreeze is an important component to have in your car during the winter season as it prevents your engine from freezing as a result of the low temperatures.

Check and ensure that your vehicle isn’t low on coolant and make sure that there are no leaks in your engine which would cause the coolant to drain off.

 

4. Maintain Proper Lighting For Your Car

The sun is known to set earlier during the winter season. Visibility also becomes a problem as a result of the fog from the snow. You’ll find yourself using your car lights a whole lot more in winter than in other seasons.

It is highly advised therefore that you have your car headlights working well.

Check your bulbs and make sure that they are illuminating properly as they should. If a bulb is out, replace it.

If your headlights have turned yellow or foggy, consider replacing them or having them restored to the proper state they should be in.

 

5. Check On Your Battery

The cold weather always affects the car battery. A weak battery could potentially go dead during the winter season. Get your battery volt tested to make sure that it is in proper working condition.

If the battery is really low in power, consider getting a new one to save yourself from the frustration of getting stuck because your car won’t start.

Make sure that you also have jump starters which will help you a great deal on recharging your car battery when it goes down.

Never drive your car without a jump starter in it. If you don’t already have one, you need to get one as they can be a lifesaver. Here is our recommendation of the Best jump starters you can buy.