Automopedia’s How To Guide On Winter Driving
In much of North America, having all season tires and old wipers won’t cut it during a harsh winter. Just look at the Midwest and East Coast last year – it was brutal! Luckily, Edmunds.com, one of the top automotive news sources online, brings us tips on how to winterize your vehicle.
1. Consider using snow tires. The condition of your car’s tires is critical during the winter. If the tires are worn, or they are high performance tires, braking, acceleration and handling are all negatively impacted while driving on slippery roads.
2. Check tire pressure. Tire pressure is especially important during the winter. Traction is often at a minimum due to wet or snowy conditions. It is critical to have properly inflated tires, as this guarantees the best possible contact between the tire and the road.
3. Check your vehicle’s four-wheel-drive. Most people don’t use their 4WD systems during the summer. And while a four-wheel-drive system requires minimal maintenance, it’s still a good idea to check that it works properly before the onset of winter.
4. Change the engine oil and adjust the viscosity grade. The colder an oil is, the thicker it will be. A thicker oil doesn’t circulate as well in an engine during start-up as a thinner oil would. If the oil is too thick, the engine doesn’t get the proper lubrication.
5. Inspect the belts and hoses. Cold temperatures can accelerate the demise of a belt or hose. Before winter starts, have the belts and hoses inspected on your vehicle.
6. Inspect the wipers and wiper fluid. The life expectancy of a wiper blade is one year. If your car’s blades are older, replace them. Also check and fill your wiper fluid reservoir.
7. Check the battery. A battery gives little notice before it kicks off. And it absolutely loves to croak when you can least afford it doing so. Very cold temperatures can reduce a vehicle’s battery power by up to 50 percent. If your vehicle battery is older than three years, have it tested at a certified automotive repair facility.
8. Check antifreeze. The ideal mixture of antifreeze (coolant) and water inside your vehicle’s radiator is 50:50. If the mixture deviates from this norm, then hot- and cold-weather performance can be compromised.
Source: Edmunds
Dec 5th, 2011 at 5:15 pm
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