It can be a bit risky to drive in the winter season. However, it is crucial, especially if you live in a snowy region. With dangerously cold temperatures, slippery roads, limited visibility, and serious weather, the last thing you want to deal with is a breakdown or an accident. Preparing your car for the cold months and having the correct materials in your emergency kit can keep you and your family safe in an emergency situation on the road.
Aside from doing your regular Lexington engine tune-ups, here are a couple of things you can do to prepare your car for the winter season:
Prepare Your Emergency Car Kit
Having a couple of useful items and tools in your car can help you out of a bad case. This is particularly true if you’re caught out in the cold after an accident or a breakdown. If you aren’t certain what items you should have in your car emergency winter kit, here are several things you should think about:
- Cell phone charger
- Whistle
- Emergency reflectors and flare
- Road salt or gravel for traction
- Chain or tow rope
- Pocket knife
- First aid kit
- Socks, mittens, and hat
- A sleeping bag or a warm blanket
- Bottled water
- Emergency food, such as non-perishable canned foods and energy bars
- Windshield scraper and brush
- Small shovel
- Booster cables
It’s advised that you keep these materials in the passenger compartment, just in case the trunk lock or door freezes. You’ve got to ensure there’s no snow blocking the exhaust pipe if your car broke down and you want to keep it warm. You also have to ensure that the windows are a bit open and you only have to run the vehicle for a couple of minutes at a time. Of course, you do not want that deadly carbon monoxide to enter your car’s interior.
Install Your Winter Tires
You are very wrong if you think all-season or all-weather tires are just as good as winter tires. All-season tires perform safely in fall, summer, and spring. However, your truck or car should have winter tires installed once the temperature drops and the snow falls. The tread on all-weather or all-season tires isn’t gripping or soft enough to handle the severe freezing temperatures of the winter season. Winter tires are the ideal and safest option for winter driving.
Before you even think about hitting the road these cold months, you should swap out your all-weather or all-season tires with winter tires. If you do not know how to do it, you can always hire a professional mechanic.
Have Your Car Inspected
Before you start driving your vehicle this winter season, you have to ensure it is safe to use for the winter conditions. To do this, you will have to visit your auto mechanic for a complete inspection of your car. This can include examining the safety and mechanical systems in your car, making sure your exhaust system is not leaking, replacing worn-out brake systems, examining fluids, and replacing worn tires.
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