Last week on the blog, I talked about winter vehicle safetyand being prepared in case of an emergency or in the unfortunate event your car
breaks down. Winter weather has a way of affecting drivers and their driving
skills, but it also causes some seemingly unavoidable car problems. I say “seemingly”
because, in truth, some of these car problems can be avoided (or made less
troublesome) when proper car care and maintenance is performed. “Extreme”
seasons, summer and winter, bring with them some very specific auto
maintenance, all specific to hot/cold air and seasonal weather conditions.
While you should always be mindful of regular auto maintenance, winter is a
great time to check up on some auto projects that you should do once or twice a
year. Think of these maintenance tasks as a new year’s resolution for your car;
a well-taken care of, and “healthy” car can keep you safe and up to speed all
year long (not to mention, you might save some cash, too)!
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| Don't let this happen to you! |
- TIRES: There could be an entire post dedicated strictly to tires, but in this case, a simple inspection could change everything. Check the tread depth, the air pressure/inflation, check for punctures – everything. While a penny test is reliable, it’s best to have your tires checked by a professional of some kind. According to The National Highway Transportation Safety Board, tires need to be at 2/32” of depth to be considered safe (Page 4). Tire pressure is easy enough to check with an easy-to-read pressure gauge and any lack of pressure is easily remedied with a trip to a local gas station that offers free air. There is no excuse to pump your tires up to proper inflation when the air is free! In areas where snow and ice is a constant threat/way of life, snow tires or snow chains may be necessary. Winter weather can prove treacherous for tires, but with the proper care your tires can keep you on the road.
- FLUIDS: Antifreeze, oil, windshield washer fluid – all of these should be in top form to keep you safe in the cold weather. Many service centers will check all of these when you take your car in for an oil change, if for whatever reason they don’t check, though, ask! These cheap and easy fixes could quickly turn expensive and disastrous if left unchecked.
- INSPECTION: No, not the one the state might require you to get, but personal inspection. Your tires, oil, and other fluids aren’t the only things to check in the winter – your wiper blades, battery, brakes, and more could all benefit from an inspection. Rain and snow are hard enough to see through in the winter, but add nasty road residue and salt to the mix, and you’ll be hard-pressed to see anything clearly. Make sure your wipers are in good condition or just replace them altogether. Be sure your battery is able to handle whatever Mother Nature throws at it; keep the battery posts clean so that you won’t have any troubles with starting your car and keeping it running. Brakes are one of the most important elements of your car, so be sure that your discs and pads are clean and ready to take on potential skidding, spinning, or situations in which you get stuck. The Weather Channel also has a great list instructing drivers on howto safely drive in snow and ice, as well as what to do in the instance that you do skid or get stuck.
What car maintenance fixes do you perform in winter to make
sure you are as safe as possible? Don’t forget to check the Lou Fusz Kia Servicesite for the latest service specials and coupons. You can always contact me via
Facebook or Twitter to service any schedule you may need, too!
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