As beautiful as they tend to be, it is not that big of a secret that long winter months are not quite ideal for driving. Low temperatures combined with obstacles like ice and road salt can wreak real havoc on your vehicle. But it’s not like we can simply skip winter and wait for the snow to melt before we sit behind the wheel again. So, let’s see what we can do to relieve some of this pressure and help your four-wheeler survive until the spring in the best possible condition.
Install the appropriate tires
This can’t even be considered one of the essential car parts you need to replace from time to time. Using season-appropriate tires is crucial and in most countries, prescribed by law. The only thing you will need to decide is whether you are going to use all-weather or winter tires. The first type is the one you get when the car leaves the dealership. They are designed to perform well on dry roads and in the case of light snow. However, if you live in an area that experiences heavier snowfalls, we absolutely suggest that you install genuine winter tires as soon as the temperature drops below 44°F.
Be sure to clean your car regularly
Keeping your car clean is one of the most important tasks, no matter whether we are talking about simple maintenance or full-on car restoration. This duty is especially important during winter months when the roads are covered with corrosive salts that can take quite a heavy toll on your vehicle’s body and undercarriage systems. Therefore, be sure to remove this pest after every ride. Warm water combined with vinegar should take care of this problem fairly easily. Just be sure to press a dry towel against the affected areas to dry off the body and remove the excessive salt.
Consider getting nano ceramic coating
If you are unfamiliar with the term, ceramic coating is a polymer solution that is applied to the car’s exterior to make it look polished and keep the paint safe from damage. When compared to other popular detailing methods like waxing, ceramic coating provides a much greater level of protection and endurance that often spans over a couple of years. All you need to do is to check the best nano coating product reviews on the market and see which one suits your pocket the best. This is something you absolutely want to have on your side when it starts snowing.
Pay attention to how you are driving
Snow and ice can considerably extend braking distances. With that in mind, it should be very wise to keep a safe distance from all vehicles ahead of you. Slower speeds will help you detect obscured obstacles like road barriers and reduce the attrition your car goes through. For the same reason, you should stay as far away from deep snow as possible. Moreover, there are a couple of things closely tied to the cleaning chores we have talked about above. If you avoid hitting every large puddle you find along the way and don’t leave your car parked outside, you will have a far easier job managing the road salt.
Always keep your tank at least half full
We know, with the fuel prices as they currently are, this can be a tall order but hear us out – when your tank is nearly empty, you are leaving a lot of space for moisture condensation. When exposed to low temperatures, this excessive moisture transforms into small ice shards that can block fuel lines or straight up damage the vehicle if they enter the engine. It would be for the best to keep the tank at least half full until the winter goes away.
So, put some money on the side and fill it up as soon as possible. From that point on, refueling the car when you reach the halfway point won’t put too much pressure on you.
We hope these few tips will help you keep your car safe until the sun goes back high in the sky and the temperatures finally rise. Winter can wear out your vehicle in more than one way, so extra caution is highly suggested. Also, keep in mind this – small breakdowns and a couple of scratches are the least of your worries. Cars that are neglected are a danger to the driver and the passengers. And that is something we all want to avoid.
