You might be prepared for winter, but is your vehicle?
One of the biggest ways that winter impacts our lives is how it changes our transportation. Roads that offered smooth sailing in the summer months can quickly become dangerous when covered in ice and snow.
You’ll be much less likely to encounter an issue on the winter roadways if you put some work into preparing your vehicle in advance.
The first, and most important, thing you should do is pull out your owner’s manual. It might not be the most interesting read, but it’s very important that you stay up to date on the service schedules it recommends to avoid a breakdown on a freezing day.
Once you’ve got your car tuned up to your manufacturer’s specifications, it’s time to get in the DIY mood. Start by adding a bottle of fuel deicer to your tank once a month. This fluid prevents moisture from freezing in your fuel line. Then focus on filters, changing your air, fuel, PCV, and oil filters as needed.
Grab protective gear—including rubber gloves and eyewear—and take a look at your battery. If you see any corrosion at any of the connection points, scrape it away. Clean the surfaces of your battery and tighten its connections as needed. Be very careful as you do this.
Now that you’re tuned up under the hood, take a moment to work on your car’s exterior. Check out your tires. If their tread depth is lacking (the top of the tread should easily come to the top of Lincoln’s head when a penny is inserted upside-down), get new tires before the roads get slick this winter. Also, properly inflate your tires and make sure your wiper blades will be able to handle ice and snow.
Now, finish off your work by making sure you have the auto insurance coverage you need this winter. If you’re not sure, contact The Misner Agency, serving Bloomingburg, Livingston Manor, Westtown, and Woodbourne, New York.
