The final month of the year is almost here, and that means that winter is just around the corner. As fall continues and the temperatures continue to drop, your car may experience a number of seasonal problems that accompany cooler weather. Preparing your car for the cool weather can prevent these problems from occurring and keep your vehicle in good repair during the fall and winter months.
With this in mind, we recommend taking the following preparatory measures to keep your car in working order and to stay safe on the road during the upcoming cold months.
- Test your car’s battery.
Cold weather increases the likelihood that your car battery may fail as it increases the strain that it’s under. Avoid becoming stranded on the side of the road or in a parking lot when your car fails to start by checking your car’s battery before the winter and testing it to see how much life is left in it. Are there any signs of corrosion on the terminals? It may be time to replace it if there is.
- Keep your tire pressure up to par.
After the temperatures drop below freezing, your tires may deflate more than usual. As such, it is critical to keep an eye on your tire pressure and to make sure that all four of your tires are in the right pressure range. It may be a good idea to check your tire pressure as frequently as once a week. Tire pressure that is too low can decrease your gas mileage and shorten the life of your tires.
- Inspect and service your brakes.
Brakes are an integral part of your car, and they often receive a lot of wear and tear throughout the year, especially in winter. Lots of moisture on the road due to sleet, snow, ice, and other precipitation as well as salt to combat it causes rust on your brakes. This can inhibit their functionality. While going into winter, you should have your brakes serviced and maybe even checked in the middle of winter to ensure they’re in good working shape.
- Always keep the gas tank above half full.
Winter calls for consistently keeping your gas tank above half full to prevent moisture from building up in your gas tank and damaging your car. Moisture build-up can strain your car’s pump and other features. If that moisture freezes, the resulting damage will be even more severe. Avoid this by minimizing the empty space in your gas tank at all times.
In addition to these winter preparatory car tips, getting your vehicle ready for winter may include several more action items.
As we enter the coldest months of the year, keep Tow Pro in mind when you find yourself on the side of the road needing emergency roadside assistance. No matter the time of day or night, you can reach us at 615.256.TOWS(8697). Our experienced operators will help you determine what you need and send a driver out to assist you.