Prepare for Snow: 4 Winter Car Maintenance Procedures to Complete
Winter is murder on a car, especially one that stays outside in the elements. However, here are four things that the owner can do to help a car withstand the rigors of winter.
Replace the Windshield Wipers
One part of car that takes a beating year round are the windshield wipers. Windshield wipers can wear out as soon as six months after they’re installed but can be easily replaced by a lay person. If the car owner is a bit nervous about putting in new windshield wipers, they can ask a professional at their auto services center to help.
Make Sure the Windows are Clear
If ice or snow has accumulated on the windows after a storm, the precipitation needs to be removed. Some people think they can make do with a little clear circle on their windshield, but this is not enough. The driver needs as much of a field of vision as possible. Anything else is dangerous.
Windshield wipers shouldn’t be used to remove a lot of snow or ice. These need to be removed by an ice scraper, even if it does take a bit of time. It’s also important to make sure the reservoir of the windshield washer is filled with a solution that’s right for winter.
Check the Battery
Cold weather slows everything down and this includes the car battery. The car owner should check the battery now and then to make sure it’s working, and they should certainly check it well before they need to drive the car. If the fluid level is low in a conventional battery, it should be topped up with distilled water. A maintenance free battery has a window that can be checked to see if it’s fully charged. A battery should be replaced with a new one anyway if it’s more than five years old and struggles to crank even in warm weather.
Make Sure the Tires are Sound
Driving on nearly bald tires under snowy or icy conditions is hazardous. If the car owner is worried about the state of their tires, buy some winter tires well before the snow starts to fall. If they wait until it gets cold and icy, there may be no winter-grade tires left.
Preparing the car for winter is not particularly difficult and, unless a whole set of tires needs to be changed, not that expensive. Even changing the tires is worth it when it comes to safe driving under wintry conditions.