Damaged Radiators, Cracked Windshields, Car Not Starting – Don’t Let Your Car Become “Dead in the Water Ice”.
Winter is here and is in full swing. Are you ready for the Georgia winter weather? Get your car ready to handle the cold temperatures with these tips for taking care of your car during the winter.
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Get your car regularly serviced.
The last thing you want to happen is your car not starting or to have brake issues. Getting your car checked out can alert you to potential issues. If your windshield or any auto glass is chipped or cracked, get it taken care of immediately. A little crack can grow bigger in cold weather.
Check your cooling system.
Anti-freeze will keep the water in your cooling system from freezing. If your cooling system gets frozen, it can lead to your engine overheating and can cause leaks. Check how much anti-freeze is in your system; the general rule of thumb is to have a 50-50 mixture of anti-freeze and water. If you know that you have leaks in the cooling system, get them taken care of now.
Check your windshield and rear-window defrost.
Reduced visibility on the road is a serious issue. Test the defrost setting in your car to ensure that it’s functioning correctly. And run the A/C – it pulls moister from the air which will really help when the windows fog up.
Check the condition of your windshield wipers and the level of the windshield washer reservoir.
When snow or ice builds up on your windshield, it’s best to use an ice scraper to remove it rather than use your windshield wipers. If you are using your windshield wipers to clear ice or snow, check them for damage and to see if they are still effective. Also check the level of the windshield washer reservoir; sometimes water can help remove ice and snow from your windshield (sometimes it really doesn’t help at all).
Clean ice and snow off your car entirely.
Again, reduced visibility when driving is dangerous. Take the time to clean the snow and/or ice off all of your car windows – windshield, rear window, and side windows – all of them. We strongly recommend investing in a good ice scraper for each of your vehicles.
Don’t run close to empty.
During the summer, the heat causes gas to expand which helps your car run longer on ’empty’. In cold weather on the other hand, you don’t have that luxury. Try to keep at least a quarter tank at all times.
Know your car.
Every vehicle has its own features and quirks. If you have four-wheel drive, anti-lock brakes, or other features, become familiar with how they work and when to use them. And always drive carefully. Speed limits are the suggested safe speed to travel in GOOD weather; when there could be ice on the road or reduced visibility, speeding can be very dangerous.
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Do you have any tips for driving in winter weather? Let us know in the comments below.