Winter Driving

Winter is nipping at our heels again and the forecast for our area is showing a steady decline in temperatures over the next couple of weeks.  There are a number of things we should be preparing for leading into November.

Your vehicle is likely in need of a checkup so let’s see what you can do to keep your vehicle happy during the deep freeze.  For starters do you have winter or synthetic oil in the engine?  More and more people are starting to treat their vehicles with synthetic oils that significantly reduce wear in cold weather, last longer, and improve lubrication and fuel economy.  How about your washer fluid?  If you’re still running summer fluid you might find yourself with a frozen line when you least expect it.  The heater fan will be running a bunch now, you could consider a new cabin air filter to keep your vehicle smelling fresh inside.  Consider having your battery load tested to see if it’s healthy enough to handle cold weather starts.

I’ve written before about the importance of winter tires, they’re just a better option folks.  They can be the difference between going into the ditch, or miraculously saving your bacon and a costly insurance deductible.  Safety first.  In the topic of safety, it’s never a bad idea to have a winter emergency kit in your vehicle complete with a few snacks, matches, blankets, flashlights, and maybe even small pylons so that you can alert other motorists that there’s a problem.  Consider a shovel as well.

There are some people who do nothing to get themselves prepared and good on them for their luck and good fortune.  I prefer to be a little prepared and I encourage you to do the same.  Stay Safe.