As the temperatures drop your driving habits change, like what roads you take, where you park, where you brake and etc. But what else should you think about? It’s time to think about prepping your vehicle for winter!
Driving in the winter is a must for people that commute so in order to make the commute as safe as possible. It’s best to prep your transportation with items like heavier clothes like jackets, hoodies, thermal layers, and winter boots. Besides that, it is smart to pack recovery items as well like a shovel so you can easily move snow, strong tow ropes and a come-along hand winch. Personally, I would advise practicing with your equipment so you know how to use it when you need it.
When it comes to vehicle prep what should you mainly consider?
- A Standard Maintenance Inspection
- Check your battery
- Replace your wipers and wiper fluid
- Make sure your heater and defroster is in good working condition
- Inspect your tires
- Check Tire Pressures
These are all very important when it comes to staying safe in these winter months.
One of the most overlooked items is to wash your vehicle after you drive in a snowstorm. This can clean off the Mag Chloride that is used on the roads to keep them from icing over. These on-road agents are super harsh on your vehicle’s components causing them to rust. A good wash will remove all of the contaminants that are located on your vehicle after a drive.
What are good practices when it comes to driving in the snow?
The best practice to keep in mind is the idea of braking earlier than needed at stop lights and stop signs
And a good practice to keep in mind when driving is to not lock your wheels up while you brake, the moment you start to feel the vehicle lock up. Slightly release your brakes then re-apply pressure to maintain a good stopping speed.
Overall this is a great practice to get into every year, to keep you and your passengers safe this winter season!