Are you ready for the upcoming
winter and what it will be offering? Before you rush to the store for the
last gallon of milk and loaf of bread, you’ll want to be sure your car is
ready to battle the elements. Follow these tips before
venturing out into the winter wonderland.
- Get a Tune-Up. Have your mechanic check your
hoses, belts
and anti-freeze. A weakened hose or belt can break and leave you stranded, or a
weak solution of anti-freeze can ice up and damage your cooling system. - Check Your Battery. Make sure your
car’s battery connection
is clean, tight and corrosion-free. The battery should be securely mounted. If
the battery is three years old or more, have it tested and replace it if
necessary. - Check Your Heater and Defroster. If your heater isn’t
working, you’ll probably know. But what about front and rear defrosters? Before
you’re faced with a frosty windshield, turn your front and rear defrosters on
and off to make sure they’re working. - Give Yourself a Brake. If you have the slightest concern
that something’s amiss with your brakes, get them inspected immediately. If you
have anti-lock brakes, you should avoid pumping the brakes if you begin to
slide. - Have Your Exhaust System Checked. Ask your mechanic to
double check the exhaust system for leaks, which can emit dangerous carbon
monoxide into your car. If you become stuck in the snow and want to run the
engine and heater, make sure your tail pipe is clear of the snow and crack open
a window to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning, which can be fatal. - Fill up with Washer Fluid. Slush and mud splashed on a
windshield can spell danger for a winter driver. Make sure your washer fluid
reservoir is sufficiently full, and keep a spare jug in the trunk. - Consider New Wiper Blades. Even if your
windshield wiper blades
are in good condition, you might want to upgrade to a rubber coated snow blade
that can handle the extra weight of wet snow. They’re not expensive, and could
make your winter driving a lot safer in the long run. - Take a Look at Your Tires. Your tires need to
have adequate
tread with “grip” to propel you through the snow. - Fill Her Up! One of the best
driving tips for winter is to
keep your tank more than half full at all times. It will help you avoid
freezing in your fuel lines, and will keep you safer in winter weather
situations.
If for any reason you are in
need of assistance with any one of these safety precautions please give us
a call and we will be happy to help you in any way we can. Please visit Metro Ford or schedule an appointment today!
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