10 Best Tips to Prepare Your Car for Winter

10 Best Tips to Prepare Your Car for Winter

Winter is here, and it is that time of the year again when we need to pay special attention to our vehicles. Once the temperature drops, you may experience a number of annoying issues, ranging from dead batteries to frozen fuel lines.

The following tips will prevent your vehicle from encountering such troubles:

1. Battery checks- Vehicle batteries are said to lose roughly 50% of their charge when the temperature drops. Even battery age and poor maintenance can hinder their charging abilities. In case you get slow cranks or if cars take longer than usual to start, it is time to get the batteries checked.
2. Change engine oil if necessary- Typical engine oil is very likely to gain viscosity when the temperature drops, but for it to be effective in lubricating the engine’s moving parts, it needs to be resistant to thickness. If the oil becomes too thick, the oil pump may be subjected to slow damage and it may become very difficult to crank up the engine. Use 5W engine oil for the best results.
3. Check the tire grip- It is very important to check the tire treads to drive confidently on winter roads. If you put a penny into the tread, you should not be able to see Lincoln’s head. In case the head is visible, it is time for new rubber.
4. Use winter-ready fluids- Many of the engine fluids contain a lot of water, which means you will need to switch them for the cold weather. For example, windshield washer fluid, which is effective in removal of sludge and road salt, is available in special winter formulations.  
5. Do not freeze the fuel line- Once outside temperatures fall below the freezing level and water vapor enters the fuel line, it’s a question of time before the line freezes. Although fixing this line does not cost much, it can certainly be bothersome. Solve the problem by adding a fuel additive and by keeping your fuel tank filled to the brim.
6. Take time to warm up- Do not be in a rush to zoom off from your parking spot in winter unless it is an emergency. Start the vehicle and give it a few minutes to warm up; this helps belts and hoses to get warmed up for operation and also allows fluids to flow.
7. Update wiper blades- In case your wiper blades have become old and are scratching the window surface, now’s the best time to replace them. Removal of precipitation from the windshield will soon be critical for visibility.
8. Check headlights- Visibility goes down due to falling slow, to ensure that your car’s indicators, head lights and taillights are in good working condition. For better road visibility, consider fitting new high output lights.
9. Snow kits – You could be stranded in a snowstorm any time during the winter. The best way to handle such a situation is keep an emergency kit handy. This should include water, a mobile phone charger, snack bars, matches, folding shovels, an ice scraper, and a snow brush.
10. Get a trusted service center- Get your vehicle maintained by a professional service center. Remember to call these professionals in case you get stuck.