Winter Car Prep Tips

When the temperature drops outside, your vehicle suffers, especially if you don’t have a heated garage. Winter weather can compromise road safety as well. Before this happens, prep your car to keep yourself and your passengers safe during this season. While average speeds reduce the risk 30% to 40%, you are still at risk.
Winter Car Prep Tips for Maximum Road Safety

Here are some winter car prep tips that can prevent serious accidents you may not return from:

1. Check the Battery

Your car battery can work well for five years. If it is about to reach that limit during winter, you may get stranded in the cold. Even a healthy battery suffers under harsh winter weather. As you use the heater and blower more often, it undergoes additional strain. So get your battery checked and fixed before the snow piles up outside.

2. Switch to Winter Tires

All-season tires are a hoax. They don’t offer the same protection that winter tires are designed to provide. If you live in an area with a lot of snow, install these tires before the weather hits. Non-winter tires have rubber compounds that harden in cold weather and decrease their gripping ability. On the other hand, the winter variety is designed to provide better traction on wet roads, snow, and slush. These are not studded.

3. Fill Up the Windshield Wiper Fluid

A single snowstorm can exhaust your windshield wiper fluid. When that happens, your wipers will stop working in the middle of a storm reducing visibility. Refill the washer reservoir frequently to prevent this from happening. Add antifreeze washer fluid beforehand if you are unsure if it is the right formula.

4. Lube Weather Stripping

You can find yourself stuck inside or outside your car if water seeps in and freezes between the weather stripping and the door. Coat the stripping and the door with spray silicone to prevent this. Use a clean rag to apply the solution and wipe it off. Do the same to your trunk lid and door mating surfaces.

5. Keep a Winter Survival Kit in the Vehicle

If you are stuck in traffic or the middle of nowhere during winter, a survival kit can save your life by keeping frostbite at bay. Some of the items that should be in the kit include:

• An ice scraper
• Blankets, mittens, hats, and socks
• A flashlight with extra batteries
• A jumper cable
• Bottled water
• A first-aid kit
• A windshield cleaner
• Road flares
• A Swiss army knife
• A warm sleeping bag
• Duct tape
• Hand-cranked power radio
• Tire changing supplies
• A paper map
• A compass
• A phone charger

These are just the essential winter car prep tips you should follow to prevent serious accidents and injuries. Illinois car insurance can ensure you get compensated in case your car breaks down.

Contact SIA Insurance Group for a Consultation Today!

At SIA Insurance Group, we take a proactive approach to aiding clients with a complete insurance system. Keep your auto business protected with our SIA 360 Insurance System. We will evaluate your operations to determine your business’s risks before customizing our package for you. Our team has considerable experience serving the auto repair industry and can develop tailored insurance solutions for you. Contact us in Woodridge, IL, by dialing 630-325-4000.