Winter time is the most important time of year to make sure your car is in good shape while traveling and commuting anywhere.
Whether it is just to the gas station, or a few hours road trip, it is crucial to make sure your car is well taken care of and prepared for the winter weather.
The tire pressure of the wheels on your car often decrease the colder the weather gets. This is due to the tire’s air condensing the colder it is outside. Make sure you check your tire’s pressure a few times a week and that it is at a reasonable amount. Almost every gas station has free to low-cost tire pressure pumps that are usable 24-hours.
There are several other precautions such as wiper fluid and getting your oil changed when needed. Wiper fluid is especially important to have in the winter time when snowfall is common and temperatures will drop.
Changing the oil in your car is one of the most important parts of winter car safety. If the oil does not get frequently changed, the engine may fail and eventually explode if you keep driving the vehicle.
Getting your tires rotated or change to snow tires depending on the vehicle is another vital precaution. Icy conditions including slick roads and black ice are very common when temperatures drop and heavy snowfall begins. Always make sure that your tires are drivable and safe.
Always carry jumper cables if possible. According to Lifewire, 50 percent of car batteries die in the winter time. It is also useful for others in need of jumper cables to receive help from anyone carrying them.
Make sure to have an ice scraper on hand if you do not have a garage or a roof to park it under. Before you leave, warming up the engine is also important so the car is ready to drive. Make sure your gas tank is full enough when traveling. Gas tanks can sometimes be unpredictable depending on the model of the car.
All of these tips will help to ensure you and your car stay safe this winter and will also prevent many accidents and costs of damages.
Liz is a second year Journalism and Mass Communications student who has been Creative Director and News Editor with the Communiqué. She also works at 88.3 KCCK as a Radio News Intern and the Corridor Business Journal as a Reporting Intern. After receiving her associate degree from Kirkwood, she will transfer to the University of Iowa with the 2+2 program. At Iowa, she will continue her journalism passions with the Daily Iowan newspaper and DITV. After graduating with a bachelor’s degree, she plans to work as a Multimedia Journalist and Reporter/News Anchor for KCCI in Des Moines or another station in Iowa.
Categories: Opinion
