Your Seven-Point Car Winterization Checklist

Winter weather can be beautiful and fun in many ways, but it can also be very hazardous for drivers. From losing control of your car on a patch of ice to your car failing to start because it’s too cold, winter poses a lot of serious problems for drivers. As your local professionals for towing and roadside assistance in Greeley, CO, we’ve seen firsthand the havoc that a winter blizzard can cause on the roads. That’s why we wanted to share some of our most helpful tips for preparing your car for winter driving conditions.

By following a few simple steps for winterizing your car, you’ll be ready to face whatever nature has in store this winter:

• Brakes: Winter driving conditions require more time and space for stopping. Poorly maintained brakes can be a recipe for disaster if you find you need to stop quickly on a slippery road. Have a mechanic do a quick check of your brakes to make sure that everything is in working order and not too worn.
• Wipers and windshield fluid: To make sure that you can see clearly and your windshield doesn’t get covered in ice, it’s important to get new windshield wipers and make sure that your windshield fluid is a winter blend that won’t freeze on cold days.
• Tires: For traction on slippery roads—not to mention better chances of getting out of a ditch—winter tires are a must. Winter tires have a deeper tread for digging down to the pavement, so they can help prevent slipping. You’ll also want to make sure that your tires are fully inflated.
• Oil: To help your car start more easily, even on the coldest days, you can switch to a winter-grade oil. Winter-grade oils are thinner to begin with to help avoid thickening during cold days.
• Heater and defroster: Even though you may not need it yet, it’s good to take your car heater and defroster for a “test drive” before the cold weather sets in. Crank up the heat in your car to make sure that it’s working properly.
• Emergency supplies: In case you should end up stranded in a snow-filled ditch, there are some emergency supplies you should have on hand. Your winter car emergency kit should at least include a blanket, shovel, salt or sand for traction, an ice scraper, flashlight, gloves, jumper cables and roadside emergency flares or reflectors.
• Battery: Cold weather can slow down a good battery or kill an old battery. The last thing you want is to have to jumpstart your car in the middle of a blizzard. Check your battery to make sure that it’s ready to handle the cold days ahead.

You may not be able to prevent all of the effects of winter driving, but you can be prepared for them. By following our seven-point checklist for car winterization, you can be prepared for even the worst winter blizzards. However, if you should find yourself in need of roadside assistance in Greeley, CO, the team at Superior Towing is here to help.

Categorised in: Roadside Assistance

This post was written by Writer