Electricians: Ignite a Spark and Learn About Electricy

Electricians: Ignite a Spark and Learn About Electricy

Get Ready for Winter Driving with a Pre-Season Checkup

Byron Holmes

The warm days of summer are fading fast, and pretty soon autumn will be gone as well. Before you know it, the coldest season of the year will be upon us, and you do not want you, or your car, to be taken unawares.

So, while the weather is still somewhat warm, why not take the time to give all your vehicles a pre-season checkup? The last thing you want is to find yourself stranded on a cold and snowy road, and ticking off the items on this handy checklist can help you stay safe no matter how bad the winter weather gets.

Whether your car is brand new or more than a decade old, now is the time to get ready for the worst of winter. Here are some essential parts of your pre-winter checkup: 

Make sure the tires have plenty of tread. Winter is not the time to run around on bald tires. If you have been putting off getting new tires, now is the time to act:

  • Have your car batteries​ tested. Even if you think your battery still has some life left in it, checking it will give you extra peace of mind.
  • Check the air in your tires now and every time you get gas. Even brand-new tires can lose one to two pounds of air when the temperature drops. Driving around on underinflated tires is dangerous, and it could even lead to a blowout.
  • Change the oil before winter arrives. You want your car to be in the best shape possible before the snow begins to fly.
  • Swap out your wiper blades for a new pair. Wiper blades are inexpensive, but they can be priceless to your safety. Worn out windshield blades can cause snow and ice to stick to the windshield, impeding your visibility and putting you and your passengers at risk.
  • Change the antifreeze before the weather gets too cold. Make sure the antifreeze you choose is rated for winter driving.
  • Top off your windshield washer fluid and check the level regularly. Keep an extra bottle of fluid in your trunk for emergencies.

Speaking of emergencies, make sure there is a fully-stocked emergency kit in the trunk. Your list of supplies should include a first-aid kit, a warm blanket, road flares and extra food and water.

Ask your mechanic to give your vehicle a once-over. Winter can be hard on even the most well-maintained vehicle, so make sure your car, truck or SW is ready for cold weather driving.

The coldest time of the year will be here before you know it, and now is the time to get ready. From making sure the tires are in good shape and properly inflated to ensuring the battery is ready for cold weather starts, the steps you take now can pay off big time later.


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About Me
Electricians: Ignite a Spark and Learn About Electricy

Hello and welcome to my blog. My name is Steve. After studying a lot of books on electrical codes and watching a great deal of videos online, I actually rewired my entire home. In this blog, I plan to give you tips on wiring, electrical safety and more. I also plan to write interesting facts about electricity, but don't expect this blog to be just about electricity--I love tech and other home improvements as well, so you may see posts related to that. Interested in learning? Then, take a look through these posts. I hope they ignite a spark of excitement in you.