The wintertime brings a lot to look forward to, from cozy nights in with your family to fun days spent skiing, sledding, and skating. However, the season also brings its downsides, and dangerous road conditions are one of them. Snow, sleet, ice, and cold temperatures can make it dangerous to drive, and even when your car is sitting safely in the driveway, it might still do some damage to your vehicle. However, with a little preparation, you can easily make a difference in your driving experiences this winter. Here are some tips to keep in mind!
Check Your Tire Pressure
As you may have learned in your physics class, cold makes things contract, including air, so when it gets cold outside, the temperature may lead to your tire pressure becoming low. Topping them off with a little extra air can be a good idea at this time of year, but make sure before you do that it’s the warmest point of the day or you’ve just driven your car so the tires are warmed up, otherwise you might end up overfilling them!
Keep Your Gas Tank Full
It has to get really, really cold for your gas tank to freeze– think subzero temperatures. However, at very low temperatures your gas can start to crystallize inside the tank, which might clog your fuel filter. A good way to prevent this is to fill up your vehicle more often than you normally would. Ideally, try not to let it get below a half a tank. This will make it harder for the gas to start crystallizing!
Pack an Emergency Kit
Getting stranded on the side of the road in cold weather is a miserable experience, and getting stuck in a snowstorm is even worse. Too long in the cold can become dangerous more quickly than you think, so it’s a good idea during the winter to throw a box full of emergency supplies into your backseat and trunk. Warm socks, gloves, and a hat as well as a warm blanket would be a good idea, as well as a bottle of water and some nonperishable food to keep you comfortable while you wait for help. Other good things to pack include a flashlight and batteries, jumper cables, a first aid kit, and some kitty litter to help you get traction if you’re stuck in the snow.
Get a Winter Service Done
Above all, when you’re preparing your vehicle for winter, prevention is key. Getting your car serviced so that you know it’s in top condition for the colder months is a great idea and can keep you out of some sticky situations. If you live in the Hamilton, NJ area, schedule a service with us today!
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