Preparing Your Car For Winter

Not only can it be dangerous to drive in harsh winter weather, the cold temperatures can damage your vehicle if you aren't careful. Because of this it's extremely important to prepare your car for winter before the cold weather arrives. Check out these tips to learn more about winterizing your vehicle.

Maintain a Proper Oil Change Schedule

Cold weather can thicken the oil in your car, making it difficult for oil to flow properly when you start your car. So, it's really important to maintain a regular oil change schedule throughout the winter months. In fact, because oil becomes gooey and thick when it's dirty, and cold weather makes it worse, you should get the oil in your car changed at the low end of the recommended mileage range for oil changes that is listed in the owner's manual for your car. Also, when you take your car in to get the oil change, ask the mechanic to use winter-weight motor oil -- especially if you live in an area that is prone to extremely cold weather.

Check Your Tire Tread

If you don't have enough tread on your tires, it could be difficult to stop your car on icy and/or snowy roads. Typically, tires that have tread less than 2/32-inches deep are considered "bald." However, if you live in an area where you frequently have to drive in winter-weather conditions, you should begin shopping for new tires when your tire tread reaches 4/32-inches deep.

To check the depth of your tire tread, slide a quarter into the grooves of your tire with Washington's head upside down. If the tread doesn't reach the top of George Washington's head, you should consider purchasing new tires. If part of Washington's head is covered, you have at least 4/32-inches of tread on your tire. Remember, each tire has several different grooves and tires don't typically wear down evenly. So, you need to check the tread depth in multiple places on each tire.

Heater, Defroster, and Windshield Wipers

Make sure the defroster and heater are working in your vehicle. This way, if there is a problem, it can be fixed before the cold weather arrives. Make sure you also exchange your normal windshield wiper blades for winter blades, because winter blades are stronger and wider.

Also, if you have any chips or cracks in your windshield, you need to get them repaired before the cold winter weather begins. Windshields that are damaged are 60 percent more vulnerable to cracking in freezing temperatures. So, if your windshield is already cracked or chipped, the cold weather will likely worsen the damage. By repairing the damage before the weather gets cold, you could avoid having to completely replace the windshield.

Preparing your car for cold weather not only helps to keep you and your passengers safe, it could end up saving you money in the long run. So, make sure you follow a regular oil change schedule, using winter-weight oil; check the tread on your tires; check your car's heater and defroster; replace the windshield wiper blades; and repair any damage to your windshield before winter.

To learn more, contact a company like Econo Glass Company.