Make sure you and your vehicle are ready for the winter season ahead. And while it may seem like it’s too soon to be thinking about winter, a little car care today will go a long way toward improving the safety and dependability of your vehicle before the snow flies.
1. SCHEDULE SOME TIME WITH YOUR MECHANIC
Take your vehicle in for a tune-up and ask your mechanic to look it over to make sure that all systems are functioning and in good repair.
2. PACK AN EMERGENCY KIT
It’s time to put your kit for emergency into the trunk. Ideally, your kit should include first aid supplies, warm blankets, a few non-perishable food items, and items like flashlights, a folding shovel and sand or cat litter for traction. Having a kit with these basics on hand can keep a minor roadside problem from becoming a major one—and can also help in a true
emergency.
3. TRACK DOWN YOUR ICE SCRAPER AND BRUSH
Along with your emergency kit, put your ice scraper and brush in the trunk too so you have it accessible when the time comes.
4. CHANGE YOUR WIPER BLADES
Replace worn wiper blades and top up your windshield washer solvent. With autumn comes precipitation, and you’ll be happy you can see clearly.
5 ENSURE THAT YOUR WINDSHIELD IS FREE OF DINGS AND CRACKS
Cold temperatures can turn a small ding in your windshield into a major crack, so, if you’ve got a chip in your windshield, it is best to get it fixed now.
6. CHECK YOUR CAR PRESSURE REGULARLY
With any change of season, it’s not uncommon for there to be a considerable swing in the temperature, which can have a direct impact on your tire’s pressure levels. Please check the air pressure in your tires at least once a month, to ensure they’re properly inflated.
7. CONSIDER YOUR WINTER TIRES
The fall is the ideal time to install winter tires if you change them seasonally, or consider buying
them if you don’t. Winter tires provide your car with more traction and handle freezing temperatures better than all-season or summer tires. They’ll help you keep control of your car and stop effectively.
**Information derived from online sources.