Severe winter weather can cause a lot of wear and tear on the exterior of your vehicle and potentially result in damaging accidents. If you live in an area that gets plenty of snow and sleet during the winter months, there are a few important things you should do to prepare yourself and your car for the ice and cold.
You should always protect your car from the elements. Salt and sand used on roadways can build up on various parts of your vehicle and cause damage to the finish. Late every fall, you must hand wash your car and make sure that it is extremely clean. Apply one or two coats of synthetic wax according to the directions provided by the manufacturer. After waxing, apply a commercial auto paint sealant. This will help protect your wax job and help you get a little extra mileage out of your efforts. The exterior of your vehicle should be adequately protected for the duration of the winter. You should routinely visit a touch-free car wash to remove dirt and debris from your car. Avoiding gunk and grime buildups will help extend the life of your finish.
It's also a good idea to have a routine maintenance check conducted on your vehicle at the beginning of winter. An oil change, tune up, and diagnostic check can help ensure that your vehicle is in good running condition and prevent a potentially inconvenient breakdown. Check your tires to make sure they are properly inflated. Having the brakes checked is also a very good idea. The last thing you want to do is get break down or slide off of the road and become stranded in the middle of nowhere.
Every driver needs to assemble a roadside emergency kit in case an accident occurs. Grab an old toolbox or other container from the garage. Fill it with some basic supplies, such as a flash light, road flares, matches, bandages, and other first aid supplies. It is also a good idea to carry a small shovel and a container of cat litter mixed with salt incase you happen to get stuck on a patch of snow or ice. These simple tools can help you out of a bind when you least expect it.
With just a little bit of time and money, it's very easy to take the proper precautions that will ensure you can handle any situation that arises this winter.
