Winter is just around the corner and while we are super excited to welcome the beautiful snow and breath-in the thrilling chill air, there are a lot more things we need to get arranged before the cold sets in, one of those things is ensuring your car works perfectly during the winter.
To Avoid Any Accidents or Getting Stranded Out in the Cold On a Chilly Day, We Have Listed Below 10 Ways to Maintain Your Car During the Cold Season.
1. Caring for Your Car Inside Out:
Yes, it is important to care for your car’s internal system and structure but it is also essential to ensure that the exteriors of your vehicle are cared for! Scrubbing off any excess dirt gathered or any stains will not only make your car look better, clean, and new but it will also prevent corrosion and chemical or pollutant erosion.
Investing in an efficient and high-quality wax will help protect your car from road salts, ice, and other chemicals.
2. Switching Your Oil:
Did you know? The type of oil you use could either protect your engine’s parts, ensuring they run well or it could be the root cause for failure in your engine’s internal parts! With winter approaching now would be the best time to switch from conventional oil to synthetic oil.
As compared to conventional oil, synthetic oil warms up faster, protecting all the parts of your engine that are in motion ever since the engine was started. It is also easier on the engine, ensuring perfect function even during the harsh cold weather.
If you are doubtful about the complete switch, but still wish to try it gradually, you can do so by opting for a synthetic blend, which is a blend of conventional oil and synthetic oil. This blend is perfect if you wish to reap some of the benefits offered by synthetic oil at an affordable price. However, before you make the switch, it would be best to first consult an expert.
3. Improve Your Battery:
The Battery of your car is not only affected during the cold season but also during the summer. It is possible that your battery might be fried due to drastic heat waves during summer, this is why it is important to check your battery in advance and get any fixing done before the cold sets in.
But do keep in mind that just because you recently replaced your battery doesn’t mean it can’t get damaged or won’t stop at any time, batteries can get affected really easily, however, there are a few things you can do to ensure your battery is safe and working during winter.
If the area that you stay in, experiences drastic snow or if you rarely use your car during the winter, then you can use a trickle charger to keep your battery alive and if you do not wish to drive your car during the winter, you can simply detach your battery to avoid power draws.
4. Maintaining Visibility:
Driving your car can get tough if the snow, rain, ice, or hail is obstructing your visibility. Not only is it unsafe for the vehicles on the road but also for you and your family members in the car.
This is why it is best to repair any chips or any cracks on your windscreens, replacing your wipers with winter blades, filling your windscreen tank with de-icing fluid, and replacing your head lights and tail lights of your car. Get your car thoroughly checked and scanned as well as fixed prior, to avoid any mishaps while driving.
5. Check Your Tyres:
Ensure your tires have a good grip on the road and its treads have enough depth, this can help you drive safely and smoothly during the winter. If your area experiences heavy snow, it would be best for you to invest in good snow tires.
You should also regulate your tire’s pressure because the air pressure drops as the temperature does too, resulting in under-inflated tires. However, do not over-inflate as it could mess with your tire’s traction on icy roads.
6. Anti-freeze Check:
The cooling system in your engine equally consists of water and anti-freeze. The anti-freeze contains chemicals to prevent water from expanding or from freezing as it could damage the engine.
7. Cleanse Your Fuel Injector:
The drop in temperature can affect your car’s fuel system as the existing water in your fuel system can freeze and cause problems. This is why fuel injectors are used to remove the water in the fuel system and prevent this issue from happening.
8. Be Careful with Diesel:
In cold temperatures, the diesel tends to solidify in the fuel lines due to the paraffin present. To fix this issue, you might have to take professional help from a mechanic who will help you that your fuel lines.
9. De-Ice:
It is important to keep your engine hot and ice-free, however, it is of no use if you are unable to unlock your doors or windows due to it being jammed. Using Lock de-icers and windscreen fluids are an easy and affordable way to keep your doors lubricated and defrosted without damaging your car’s paintwork.
10. Radiator and Thermostat Check:
The Radiator cap is essential to your cooling and heating system, it keeps prevents any leakage and keeps the anti-freeze in its place. If it is old or faulty, it could cause overheating and your anti-freeze to leak.
The thermostat monitors the heat level and if faulty, it could prevent the engine from heating correctly and give wrong signals. The radiator and thermostat are both cheap parts yet very important for the proper functioning of your car.
If any of these are faulty or old, it would be best to get them repaired or replaced as soon as possible to avoid further damage.
In a nutshell, to avoid any accidents from occurring or your car from breaking down while driving on the road during the winter, it is essential that you follow these 10 steps and put them into action every year before the cold sets in! If you live in Melbourne Australia and are looking for any help with your vehicle, you can contact the experts at A1 Windscreens in Melbourne, Australia.
About the Authors:
Darren Pay and Justin Oakes are co-owners of A1 Windscreens Melbourne Australia that is known for their windscreen chip repair services and car windscreen replacement services.
