Winter car care tips
Winter car care tips
Posted on November 19, 2021
You can put your car through its paces every day of the year. But the winter months seem to be especially hard on vehicles. There are certain components of your vehicle that simply do not perform as well in cold weather. Because of this, there are a few things that you need to do to your vehicle to ensure that it is ready for the winter.
1. Check Your Car's Battery
It is not uncommon for a car's battery to die in the winter. While the extremely cold temperatures do play a role in this, it is actually the summer months that cause the most damage to the battery. During the summer, the battery tends to get fairly hot and can cause it to become sluggish. During the winter, the battery has to work harder to crank the engine because the cold temperatures cause the motor oil to flow slower. Because the already damaged battery has to work harder in the winter, it is more susceptible to losing power or dying altogether.
Before the temperatures get too cold, it is a good idea to take your battery to a service department to have it inspected and the voltage checked. If the voltage is a little low, it may be a good idea to get the battery replaced as soon as possible.
2. Buy Winter Tires
Having the right kind of tire in the winter is crucial, and in some cases, it is the law. Winter tires are specifically designed to have a better grip on snowy roads and have overall better traction whenever the temperature gets close to freezing.
In Quebec, it is required that all motorized vehicles be equipped with winter tires from December 1st to March 15th. The rest of the country strongly suggests that everyone else use winter tires once temperatures reach around 7 degrees Celsius.
3. Check Your Vehicle's Lighting System
Whenever it snows, visibility can be greatly reduced, especially for those who are driving vehicles. This is why it is important to make sure that your lights are on and working properly before the snow season starts. Make sure to check your headlights, taillights, and brake lights. If any of the bulbs are out, be sure to replace them as soon as possible.
4. Test Your Heater
Many people feel that the heater is one of the most important parts of a car during the winter. And while it does play an important role in ensuring that you are warm and comfortable during the blistering cold months, it also serves another more important purpose. Without the heater, you would not be able to clearly see out of your windows. Also, snow and sleet would instantly stick to your windshield, which would further obstruct your vision.
Before the temperatures drop too low, have your heater checked out to ensure that all of the components are working properly.
5. Check the Tire Pressure
During the winter, it is important that you keep a close eye on the air pressure in your tires. As the temperature drops, the tire pressure will drop as well. Having a tire that is not properly inflated could cause unnecessary damage to it.