Is Your Car Ready For Winter Driving?
Before you do anything else, read your owner’s manual and follow the manufacturer’s recommended service schedules.
Tires: Swap out regular tires for winter tires. Snow or not, if you live in an area where temperatures regularly fall below 45 degrees, winter tires are recommended. They're made to give you better traction while turning or stopping on cold pavement.
Pressure: Check tire pressure weekly. Driving on under inflated tires can cause them to wear down prematurely and lose traction on icy or slippery surfaces. Your tires lose a pound of pressure with every 10-degree drop in temperature.
Wipers: Wipers should be replaced every 6 months. Replace them if they squeak, chatter, skip, smear or streak reducing driving visibility.
Lights: Check all exterior and interior lights, make sure the headlights and fog lights are working for fog or snowy days.
Exhaust: Check for carbon monoxide leaks, its dangerous, especially in cold weather when driving with windows closed.
Brakes: Check brake pads and rotors & replace them if needed. They are your vehicle’s most important safety item.
