Ways to Make Sure Your Car is Prepared for Winter

Winter is upon us and we can’t neglect our car’s maintenance and upkeep during these colder months.

Plummeting temps can wreak havoc on your car without having it prepared for the freezing weather. Winterizing your car will ensure that it’s up and running when you need it the most.

In this article, we will give you 6 car winter tips to protect you and your car while the winter months are here.

Our first tip is to keep an eye on your tire pressure. It doesn’t matter if it’s winter, summer, spring, or fall really– driving on tires without enough air can be dangerous and very risky. There’s hire chance for a blowout or the car sliding, especially when there’s ice or water on the ground.

Most cars have a recommended air pressure for the make and model you’re driving. Typically, you can find these inside the driver’s door frame or in the car’s manual.

It’s also a good idea to get specialized winter tires if you live in an area prone to extreme temperature drops. They are made from a specific material that won’t harden in the cold, keeping you safe and your car intact.

Another thing to check out is your battery. It’s disappointing to wake up in the morning to go out to your car, only to find out it won’t start at all.

The cold takes a toll on the battery, making it work harder than usual and putting a strain on it. This reduces its power output and, ultimately, a dead car for you. Then you have to hope someone can jump-start your car.

The best solution is to replace an old/damaged battery. Alternatively, there are portable jump starters and batteries to get you out of a pinch. That works as a nice segway to our next tip, which is…

If you find yourself stranded, having emergency supplies could save your life in dire situations. Here is a list of some items to give you an idea of what should have:

• First Aid Kit

• Charged Cell Phone (Turned Off) For Calling 911 or Assistance

• Winter Clothes To Keep Warm (Jackets, Hats, Coats, Blankets, etc.)

• Snow Shovel & Ice Scrapper

• Matchbox

• Water & Non-Perishable Foods

• Jumper Cables

• Portable Charger & Battery (see tip #2)

• Flashlight

• Flares

These are just a few items and you can add more as you see fit. Also, it’s also a good idea to sign up for roadside assistance through AAA or some other entity.

Oil helps the car’s engine run smoothly, but cold weather can work against it. It can make the oil too thick and gunk up from the debris and impurities, reducing its effectiveness.

Having an engine run with bad oil can cause major damage. Engine repair can easily run thousands of dollars. However, getting a fresh oil change can avoid all of this.

Often overlooked but critically important are the hoses, belts, spark plugs, cables, and wires found under the hood. So, don’t neglect these this winter either. If these fail, you’ll be stuck relying on a tow or roadside assistance to get you out of a jam.

The lower temps increase the odds of these malfunctioning. While you getting an oil change, a tune-up might be in order too– especially if you can get this all done before the numbers really drop. It could save you a few bucks and a lot of headaches in the future.

The more gas, the better (for obvious reasons). But having gas in the tank decreases the amount of condensation in the system, which can cause the gas line to freeze. And on top of that, if you get stranded somewhere on the road, then you can run the car for the heat to stay warm and survive.

These quick 6 tips should have you ready for the winter. And if you’re ready to get a new car, then check out the inventory available at ALM. With thousands of new and used cars, ALM Cars has something perfect for you.