Cold weather during winters severely impacts car safety. Those using vehicles often ensure they are adequately prepared well before the season even begins. These mitigation measures usually start in the weeks prior to Thanksgiving which falls on Thursday, November 22, 2018 this year. Getting your vehicle acclimatized to the intense weather conditions that lie ahead can save you from unnecessary hassles and delays on the road.
Besides tanking up on fuel, avoiding high speeds and cruise control, there are some other car safety precautions you can take to ensure a hazard free journey while on the road.
Keep a tab on tire pressure
Tire pressure tends to decrease during winter. Wheels that lack sufficient pressure can prevent your vehicle from giving you a good, clean run. Check the pressure in your tires at least once a month.
If you’re not sure about the optimal tire pressure for your vehicle, check the owner’s manual or door jam. Sometimes the information can also found on the tires itself.
Many tires are manufactured that are specifically designed for cold weather. These models provide the driver greater traction and handling. In any case, it is highly recommended to at least use all season tires in places where temperatures tend to drop well below 0.
Check Your Battery
Car batteries need to work harder in harsh, winter conditions. Avoid leaving your vehicles out in the cold. Park your car instead in a garage or a covered parking lot. Keep a backup of jumper cables.
Windscreen Cracks and Wipers
Low temperatures tend to aggravate faults such as cracks and crevices in windscreens. Make your windscreen is thoroughly reviewed for such chinks that can seriously hamper car safety.
It is also highly recommended that you check your wipers periodically. Get a good windshield washer fluid that can be used at subfreezing temperatures or alternately, you can also use washer fluid antifreezes that significantly lower the washer fluid’s freezing point.
If you have to leave your vehicle outside and exposed to snow, make sure your wiper blades are upright. This will ensure they don’t get stuck on to the windscreen.
Always use an ice scraper to remove particles such as ice or snow that collect on your windscreens. This will prevent your wiper blades from getting damaged.
Wax Your Car
Give your car a good coat of wax before the snow season begins to protect the undersides of your vehicle from damage caused by road, dirt, snow, grime, sleet and other particles on the road.
Headlights and Brake lights
Visibility can be a serious car safety concern while driving through fog, falling snow and other phenomenon caused by heavy winter conditions, not only for us, but for those around us. Check your headlights and brake lights, both for visibility and brightness levels before heading out.