Winter is just around the corner, and this means that driving can be very different from driving in the summer heat. You have added risks for black ice, snow, and heavy rainstorms. In fact, the weather can be incredibly unpredictable. All of this means that you need to ensure that your car is ready for the change in the weather. So, what should you do to ensure your car is ready for the winter weather?
Check your tires
If you have been out and about over the summer, there is a good chance that your tires have been worn away slightly by the road. This might only be a bit but it could be enough that the tires are not suitable for during the colder months. Make sure that you buy wheels that are suitable for the colder weather to help reduce your chance of having an accident. If you are not sure if your tires will cope, great them checked out. Depending on where you live in the world, you might want to consider switching to snow tires.
Wash your windshield
Over the summer, you may have noticed that it doesn’t rain as much. After a period of no rain, your windshield can get very dusty and greasy. You might not even notice how bad it is until you find yourself in the rain and your windshield doesn’t clear properly. Try to wash the windows of your car regularly. Even if you don’t have time to wash the rest of the car. Seeing out of the windows is essential for your safety but it is also a legal requirement that you can see properly out of the window clearly.
Check your antifreeze levels
This colored liquid that goes into your engine can be known as coolant or antifreeze. Before you set off for any journey, you should check the levels of antifreeze in your engine. The reason antifreeze is so important is that it regulates the temperature inside your engine. This is why it also has two names as it cools a hot engine and prevents the liquid in the engine from freezing when the weather is cold. Always check your levels to prevent your engine from having any issues.
Clean your lights
During the summer, you may have collected some bugs and dust under the covers of your lights. This might not seem like a big deal but it can interfere with the amount of light that comes from your headlights. The dark nights and earlier sunsets mean that you will need to use the lights. Even having your lights on during the daylight hours can help with visibility. Make sure that your headlights are clean so that you can see people and other people can see you too.
As you can see, there are a lot of simple maintenance tricks that you can do to make your car a lot safer on the road this winter. Take some time to make sure that your car is winter-ready.
