With the approach of autumn, you probably start planning to get your family ready for cooler weather by taking out winter clothes out of the storage, turning on the heater or making some hot stews for dinner instead of light summer salads. And just as you take care of your loved ones, you also need to prepare your vehicle for the approaching cold weather.

Every year, severe cold causes thousands of road accidents. And often these accidents are not due to negligence, poor decisions or bad driving skills of the drivers, but due to Mother Nature. Though you cannot do anything about Mother Nature but you can take some measures to improve your safety and your vehicle by preparing your vehicle for the winter season.

Winter care for your vehicle includes many activities such as proper inspection of the battery, brakes, heater, antifreeze, defroster, and thermostat. By preparing your vehicle before the brunt of winter, life will become quite easy for you.

Mentioned below are a few tips that will help you to prepare your vehicle for the winter in the best way.

• Check whether you have the right oil or not: With a change in temperature, you will want to change the oil and replace it with oil that has a different viscosity. Heavier oils are not effective if you are travelling through cold, blustery conditions. You must check your owner’s manual to find out which oil viscosity is recommended for the cold weather you are experiencing.
• Check the battery: Extreme climatic conditions can cause battery problems. An old battery cannot hold a charge well. This can make your car’s electrical system work harder. Check battery’s positive and negative terminals to make sure there is no rust or corrosion. If your battery is getting older, get it tested and if required, replace it.
• Keep a full tank of fuel: Though it is a good idea to keep the tank full all year round but there are a few reasons to keep the tank full when the temperature falls. A full tank of fuel helps in preventing moisture from forming in the fuel lines, where it can then freeze. And in case you get stranded at any time, your vehicle’s engine could be only your heat source.
• Keep a vigil on the tires: Just as the temperature rises and falls, so does the pressure in the tires of your vehicle. In winter, you can lose the pressure of your tires due to cold temperature. And low tire pressure can affect your driving. Low pressure in tires can also lead to a blown tire.

Take the above mentioned points seriously if you are planning to keep your vehicle well-maintained for winter. Along with that, you should also stock your car with some tools such as a shovel, boots, gloves and an ice scraper. They will help you when you are stuck in ice and snow.

 

Tags: How important it is to prepare your vehicle for winter