Getting Your Vehicle Winter Ready
What You’ll Need This Snowy Season
According to the National Collision Database in Canada, nearly 30% of collisions happened on wet, icy, or snowy roads. Driving in the winter can be much more dangerous and complicated. Still, you can stay safe on the road if you have the necessary winter car gear.
Do you want to learn more about how you can get your car ready for the winter season? Keep reading this guide for everything you need to know to winterize your vehicle to prevent common winter car problems.
Why You Should Winterize Your Vehicle
Winterizing your vehicle is an important part of car ownership and provides many benefits.
One of the main reasons why you must winterize your vehicle is that it will keep you and others safer on the roads. For example, winter windshield wipers will improve your visibility as you drive through snow and other dangerous conditions. New winter tires will improve your vehicle’s traction and can keep you safe when you drive on icy roads.
This means that you, your passengers, and the other people driving on the road will be safer when you winterize your car. You should also winterize your vehicle because it will preserve your car and can save you money in the long run!
Small tasks, like replacing your windshield wipers, can help you avoid expensive car accidents and other more expensive maintenance issues.
How to Winterize Your Vehicle
Learning how to properly winterize your vehicle is necessary to keep you safe on the road all season. This includes finding the right winter car gear for your needs. Here are some of the easiest ways you can winterize your vehicle.
Put on Winter Tires
One of the most important things you can do to get your vehicle ready for winter is to put on winter tires. While many places offer all-season tires, winter tires offer even better performance and can keep you safe on wet or icy roads.
This is because non-winter tires harden when the temperature drops, which lessens the traction of your tires. Winter tires resist this hardening, so you will consistently have better traction no matter how bad the weather is.
When you put on your winter tires, make sure you check the tire pressure to ensure that they are filled up properly.
Check Your Washer Fluid
Before driving in the winter, you need to make sure your washer fluid is full. Your washer fluid is important when driving in slushy or snowy conditions.
The spray from the road can easily cover your windshield and the salt and dirty snow may make it difficult to see. Your washer fluid will clear this away with the help of your windshield wipers.
When you fill your washer fluid, you may need to find a formula that is specific to winter conditions. This way, your washer fluid will not freeze to your windshield and will not freeze inside the pump!
Put on Winter Windshield Wipers
Not only do you need winter tires on your car, but you also need winter windshield wipers. As you drive or park your car in winter weather, your windshield wipers may collect ice on the blades.
If you use your wipers on an icy windshield, they may not work properly.
On the other hand, winter wipers have an extra layer of protection that is made from rubber. This prevents your wipers from freezing up and will allow them to work even in icy or snowy conditions.
Have Your Car Serviced
Winter car servicing can provide you with peace of mind when you are driving in the winter months.
A professional mechanic can go through each of these winter car maintenance steps and more to ensure that your car is safe to drive.
For example, they can inspect and service your brakes to ensure that you will be able to stop safely in snowy or icy conditions.
They can also top off your fluids and identify any potential problems with your vehicle!
Get an Auto Remote Starter
Not only should you focus on safety with car maintenance in the winter, but you should also focus on comfort! Getting a remote car starter is an easy way to make your vehicle feel more luxurious.
It allows you to start your vehicle from inside your home so that it is warm when you are ready to start driving.
Install HID Headlights
Finally, you should install HID headlights! These are also known as high-intensity discharge lights and produce much more light than a typical halogen bulb.
Plus HID Xenon headlights are a bright white beam and closely resemble natural daylight.
This provides you with much more visibility on the roads while you are driving and will keep you safe in the winter months. These types of headlights consume less energy, which can help you conserve fuel and make your car more efficient.
Learn More About the Benefits of Winter Car Gear
As a vehicle owner, dealing with winter car problems is not only dangerous, but it can also be an inconvenience.
Following these tips and investing in the right winter car gear can help you prepare for the upcoming winter months. If you need help choosing the right lighting and accessories for your vehicle in Ottawa, AudioMotive can help! We provide everything from remote car starters to new headlights and more.
Contact us today to get a free quote for your winter car gear and to learn more about winterizing your vehicle!