Winter is tough on vehicles and makes driving conditions more difficult than during any other season.
The combination of cold temperatures, snow and ice accumulation, and increased road dangers make maintaining car health during winter critically important by ensuring vehicles are in top condition before taking them onto the roadways. Even when not in use, proper care must be taken to protect vehicles from the many dangers that come with sub-freezing temperatures, inclement weather other potential dangers.
Pay Close Attention to Tyres
Tyres are one of the most important elements of maintaining car health during winter. Tyres should be suitable for winter weather and inflated to the manufacturer’s recommended specifications to ensure the best performance. The treads have to be sufficient to provide traction, and winter tyres are ideal. Winter tyres have more grooves for channelling snow and slush and help to keep the rubber in contact with the road surface. All-season radial tires also work well. No matter which type, it’s important to ensure there is ample tread available. If the tyres have little or no tread depth remaining, they will become dangerous on the roadways and easily could cause the driver to lose control.
Windshield Safety is Important
Visibility is important whenever driving and can be particularly difficult to maintain during the winter. Maintaining car health during winder means wiper blades need to be in good condition to clear away snow and water. Worn out wiper blades will streak and obscure vision, which can lead to an accident. Likewise, wiper motors must work correctly to ensure the blades will continue working, particularly if it is snowing. Even when no snow is falling, the tyres on other vehicles often times will throw up moisture from snow-melt and slush that the wipers need to clear from the windshield. Clearing it will be easier to do when using wiper fluid that contains de-icer. The de-icer prevents the fluid from freezing onto the windshield or while inside the tubes leading from the washer motor to the spray nozzles. A strong battery also will help toward maintaining car health during winter.
Clear Snow and Ice Buildup
Maintaining car health during winter requires clearing it of snow and ice. Even a couple centimetres of snow left on the roof can cause problems for the driver as well as other vehicles. Any snow left on the hood, roof or trunk will blow off while drive and could accumulate on the front or rear windows or blow onto other vehicles and obscure vision. If ice has formed, the car will loosen it as the interior warms from the heater, and the ice could fall off in large, dangerous chunks. A good scraper will help to clean any snow and ice off the car. If the car can’t be garages, covering it will help to prevent ice and snow buildup and make it easier to clear for driving. If no cover is available, cardboard or towels tucked under the wiper blades and covering the windows will help to prevent snow and ice from adhering to the glass surfaces.
Wintertime Driving Safety
Roadways are slipperiest during winter, so Kudos Vehicle Management suggests increasing following distances and slowing down when turning. Roadways always freeze first on bridges and overpasses due to the cold air passing beneath them. Travelling over them requires particular caution. If there is a glare on the road, there likely is black ice on it. If a car slides, steering in the direction of the slide will help regain traction. If traction is lost, drivers must avoid braking until traction is regained.
