Good maintenance and a little bit of winter preparation are almost as important as good driving skills to stay safe on winter roads. And with the cold, wet and snowy weather conditions that we can expect this winter, it’s never to early to get ready. Here are some tips to get your car into winter shape:
Always have gas in your tank, and never go below half-full (no cheating, please.) Plenty of gas will not only allow you to get to your destination despite bad traffic, but also keep you warm if you get stranded and running the engine is your only source of heat.
Check antifreeze and re-fill if needed. Your car can overheat in the coldest of winter nights if it’s low on fluid, so make sure that you have enough coolant. Did you know that a 50-50 mixture of antifreeze and water has a lower freezing point than 100% antifreeze?
Check windshield wipers and wiper fluid. Wipers should be replaced twice a year, or as soon as they don’t wipe the windshield clear any more. Fill up your fluid, because the even best set of wipers needs some help to clean away slush and grime in winter.
Check the tire pressure. Pressure drops by about a pound per ten degrees of temperature. If your tire pressure was OK when you tested it back on that sunny 60-degree day in October, you should test it again when it gets cold.
Check the battery. Not only are batteries subject to wear-and-tear, but battery power decreases in cold temperatures, while your car’s particularly cold motor needs extra power to start up.
Know your car. You should know whether your car has front-wheel drive, rear-wheel drive, or all-wheel drive; antilock brakes, traction control or stability control. And next time it snows just a little, carefully drive around in an empty parking lot to get a feel for how your car handles in the snow.
Pack your essentials. Store a bag with a few basic items in your car – they could save your life in an emergency. Here’s a list of what should go in your pack:
-Flashlight
-Scraper
-Shovel
-Jumper cables
-Tow chain or strap
-Warning device (triangle)
-Tire chains
-Brightly colored cloth (as signal)
-Blankets, hat, mittens
-First-aid supplies
-Abrasive material (sand, cat litter, traction mats)
– High-energy food, baby supplies (if applicable), water, and a coffee can with a candle and lighter. Why? A lit candle in the can helps warm the car if you’re stuck (Don’t place the can on fabric and always crack a window for air, since ice and snow can quickly seal a car).
Once it starts snowing, remember these three steps before you start driving: clear and scrape all windows from ice and snow, sweep the snow from the car’s hood and roof, and clean your headlights. Doing so will make the road a safer place for you and for the drivers around you.
And to get your insurance winter-ready? Why, give us a call for a free account review at 425.379.9200. We look forward to hearing from you.