There comes the time when you should sit inside with your family in front of a fireplace with a nice cup of cocoa warming your hands. This is how everyone thinks of holiday season, but some people live far away from home, and in order to get to their family gathering, they have to drive. Depending on where you live, and what the climate is like, you should be carefully aware of the winter, and the dangers it can present to unaware drivers.
If your place still isn’t covered with snow, it soon will be, and one of the things you should do is prepare your car properly. You never know when you might need it unexpectedly, so it is best to have everything ready, as cold weather can be particularly rough on our cars, and even though most vehicles are created to operate in all kinds of weather conditions, it is best to make sure that everything is in order. There is a small list of things that you need to prepare if your favorite pet is currently freezing in the garage:
Check the Engine Coolant
The engine coolant has a couple of tasks: firstly it has to prevent your engine from overheating, which can physically damage to the engine block, but furthermore, the engine coolant must not freeze, so make sure to use a generous amount of antifreeze. Antifreeze is usually a green liquid designed to be mixed with water and placed in your radiator. It has a job of altering physical properties of water so that it doesn’t freeze at 0 degrees Celsius, but also to postpone boiling by raising the boiling point of water during the summer.
Car Battery
You probably know that even simple batteries in your TV remote operate much slowly when exposed to cold weather, and the same goes for car batteries. Extreme cold temperatures can decrease the expected lifespan of your car battery, so it is best to have it checked before the winter starts, especially if you have an old one. They typically last about 5 years, so maybe it is time to buy a completely new one.
Check Your Oil Levels
Oil is needed to lubricate the insides of a very complex machine you call your engine, and when the temperature shifts dramatically – the oil won’t freeze, but it will become thicker, which can sometimes cause problems. This is why you should use thinner oil during winter months, and it is best to check your car’s operating manual to see the recommended viscosity.
The Importance of Snow Tires
When it comes to tires, there is a good reason why there are summer and winter tires, it’s not only because policemen like to write you unnecessary tickets. Tires can make all the difference in the world, and are not only there to protect your car rims, but they also need to provide traction so that the car doesn’t slip. During the summer, tires need to survive extreme temperatures and grip tightly to the surface of the asphalt, and during the winter, you need tires that are made out of special compounds that can produce grip to the snowy, even icy surface, at extremely low temperatures. Probably the best choice is to invest into high-quality all-season tires, which can withstand whatever nature throws under them.
Be Prepared for an Emergency
You probably already have a medical emergency kit in your car, and you should have the same for your vehicle, since it can also have troubles surviving the winter. Make sure to have an appropriate cell-phone charger inside your car, as that will come in handy if you need to call for help. Also, carry a flashlight, and a blanket that will keep you warm if you become stuck. Having a bag of sand on both sides of your truck can also help you by providing extra weight for the tires so that they can grip the surface more nicely, and in case you become stuck, sand can be spilled under the tires as to provide traction.
Notify your family and friends that you will be going on a trip, which route you’ll be taking, and how long do you expect your journey will last. This way, they will know when to expect you and to notify emergency services if you are not there on time. With some luck, and a lot of patience, you will get to your destination in no time. During your travel, make sure to listen to some Christmas carols, at least that will make the time pass by faster.