Tips For Winterizing Your Car

Tips For Winterizing Your Car

When cold weather rolls around, it's difficult to escape the warmth of our homes and venture out into the icy or snowy world outside. However, we can't avoid cold weather travel forever. To help keep you and your loved ones safe while driving in the winter, here are some tips to winterize your car.

People in warm, sunny southern regions may not really need this advice. However, for those of you that live in an area that can get ice, snow, or just cold weather in general, you should know that there are ways to maintain your car's upkeep in the winter that are different from warmer summer weather.

First, you probably already get regular oil changes for your vehicle. However, just as water and other liquids thicken and freeze during the winter, so does oil. Therefore, many car manuals may tell you that you should get oil specifically for colder weather once winter arrives. So, next time you go in for an oil change in the cold weather, you should consider asking your maintenance provider if you can get an oil that is less likely to thicken (and hurt your engine) in cooler temperatures.

It's also a good idea to check other things up under the hood. Cold can give wear and tear on your belts and hoses as the contract in the cooler temperatures, then expand as they heat up when you are running your engine. If belts and hoses break, this can cause expensive damage to your car. Thus, you should be safe rather than sorry and take a look under the hood before winter arrives.

Next, check out your tires before you venture out in the cold. If your tires have improper pressure levels, this can impair your driving in already tricky conditions. You generally have to add some air to your tires because air contracts in colder weather. This translates to about one pound of pressure per ten degree drop. Also, if you are going to be cruising around in snow or ice, you should think about putting snow tires or at least chains on your tires. This can keep you from slipping and sliding in the slick conditions.

Lastly, it's not just your car itself that needs winterizing. You should also make sure that you know how to control your car in slick conditions so that you can keep you and those around you safe. Drive slowly if necessary, even if it means leaving a little early. Also, make sure you can see out of your car. If snow or ice starts to build up on your windshield, you should stop and clean it off so that you can see.

If someone fails to be a safe driver and adapt to winter driving conditions, this can result in car wrecks and injuries to other people on the road. If you or someone you know has been injured in a vehicular accident, you should talk to a personal injury lawyer to learn about your rights.

For more information on car wrecks and other sources of personal injury, check out the personal injury lawyers at the firm of Haralson, Miller, Pitt, Feldman & McAnally, P.L.C., today.

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