Spring Break
Taking care of your car in the winter chill
Alyssa Carroll
Issue date: 1/28/09 Section: Focus
Owning a car on campus is hard, what with absolutely no parking, lots of pedestrians and police that seem to notice every little mishap. In winter these problems are only worsened by bad roads and poor driving conditions that can put everyone at risk. This season, take some time to make you and your car a little safer by following these simple tricks, courtesy of superiorcarinsurance.com.
Exterior
There are many little tips and tricks for keeping cars safe during the colder months. One of the quickest ways to get into trouble during the winter is to have unsafe tires. Be sure to check tires for signs of balding, wearing and misalignment. When in a safe location, place the car in motion and take your hands off the wheel and see if the car veers towards one side. If the car goes more strongly in one direction, be sure to have the alignment looked at.
Then, once you get the car rolling properly, be sure you can get it to stop. Make sure the brakes aren't worn down by getting them checked regularly. Ice and sand can both make stopping difficult, poor brakes will only make things worse and could lead to serious harm.
Finally, to keep visibility at its best, get winter windshield wipers. They are an inexpensive way to reduce ice build-up.
Interior
When a person gets a cold in during the winter, a doctor will always recommend lots of fluids. Well, a car is no different. Be sure to keep track of fluid levels in a vehicle - engine coolant, oil, windshield washer, etc. Use a solution of 50/50 antifreeze-to-water in the engine cooling system and make sure to have the cooling system checked-out and flushed around every two years. Be sure to keep at least a half tank of gas in the car at all times to reduce moisture in the fuel system.
Jumper cables are also going to be a worthwhile investment during this time. Cold weather increases a battery's energy use and leave cars more prone to start-up issues. Start up the car every couple of days to give it a chance to run, and try to give the car a few moments to warm up before attempting to drive anywhere.
Owners
Beyond the car itself, there are many things drivers can do to keep themselves safe. Always keep a snow-brush in the car to remove ice and snow during storms and bad weather. An extra pair of gloves left in the glove box will make brushing the snow off a much better experience. To be prepared for any situation, keep snacks, water and a first aid kit in the car, especially during long trips.
Exterior
There are many little tips and tricks for keeping cars safe during the colder months. One of the quickest ways to get into trouble during the winter is to have unsafe tires. Be sure to check tires for signs of balding, wearing and misalignment. When in a safe location, place the car in motion and take your hands off the wheel and see if the car veers towards one side. If the car goes more strongly in one direction, be sure to have the alignment looked at.
Then, once you get the car rolling properly, be sure you can get it to stop. Make sure the brakes aren't worn down by getting them checked regularly. Ice and sand can both make stopping difficult, poor brakes will only make things worse and could lead to serious harm.
Finally, to keep visibility at its best, get winter windshield wipers. They are an inexpensive way to reduce ice build-up.
Interior
When a person gets a cold in during the winter, a doctor will always recommend lots of fluids. Well, a car is no different. Be sure to keep track of fluid levels in a vehicle - engine coolant, oil, windshield washer, etc. Use a solution of 50/50 antifreeze-to-water in the engine cooling system and make sure to have the cooling system checked-out and flushed around every two years. Be sure to keep at least a half tank of gas in the car at all times to reduce moisture in the fuel system.
Jumper cables are also going to be a worthwhile investment during this time. Cold weather increases a battery's energy use and leave cars more prone to start-up issues. Start up the car every couple of days to give it a chance to run, and try to give the car a few moments to warm up before attempting to drive anywhere.
Owners
Beyond the car itself, there are many things drivers can do to keep themselves safe. Always keep a snow-brush in the car to remove ice and snow during storms and bad weather. An extra pair of gloves left in the glove box will make brushing the snow off a much better experience. To be prepared for any situation, keep snacks, water and a first aid kit in the car, especially during long trips.
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