5 Unusual Winter Car Care Tips You May Not Have Thought Of
It won't be long before Old Man Winter makes his appearance, wreaking havoc on both humans and the outdoors, and that includes your vehicle.
You already know that regular maintenance is one of the best ways to keep your car running smoothly in plunging temperatures. But cold weather has some sneaky ways of tearing away at your vehicle that you may not have thought of.
Here are some critical winter car care tips to get your car ready and keep it ready all winter long!
1. Making Your Car into Compost
If you live in a place with lots of trees, take care to clear them from your car! Twigs, old leaves, and other organic matter can cause the exterior of your car to deteriorate.
The air plenum near the windshield is a classic example. Leaves, twigs, and debris love to gather there. Got a sun roof? Open it up and make sure that plant gunk hasn't stopped up the drains, making wet headliners.
2. Look at Your Nethers
Today's cars are equipped with more elaborate underbody panels as well as low hanging air dams. This is to help save on fuel consumption and improve aerodynamics.
However, driving over a snow drift can cause a problem by ripping off the entire panel and/or its mounting hardware.
That's why it's a good idea to take a good look at the underbody, starting at the front and working your way to the rear. Check for anything loose or flapping and pop it back into place.
You can even use duct tape or a zip tie!
3. Add A Survival Kit
Accidents increase during winter, so having emergency gear in your car or truck is an excellent idea. Store a space blanket, for example, somewhere in your vehicle, preferably the glove department.
It won't do you any good to store it in the trunk if your car is upside down and you can't get to the trunk. And that's exactly the scenario you want to prepare for!
Space blankets can keep you warm while you're waiting on help to arrive.
4. Wax the Lights
This little detail will work for you again and again during the winter season. Just clean your headlamps first. Then rub car wax on to the lens. Let it dry and buff off. Repeat.
If you're feeling very industrious, do the tail lights too. The slippery surface on the lights will make it less likely for an "icicle" coat to build up when road slush refreezes and hits your lights. Plus, the wax will make removal easier, if a light coat does form.
5. Check Tire Pressure
Have you heard the old adage that in snowy conditions it's best to let a little of the air out of your tires so that the tires grip more surface area?
That really only applies if the surface is incredibly soft, like foot deep unplowed snow. But for the mix of cleared road that includes ice, chemicals, and packed snow? Not so much. And that's the scenario most of us deal with.
Cold weather causes tires to lose a pound of pressure for every 10 degree (Fahrenheit) drop. An under inflated tire simply won't "bite" through snow to the pavement as well as one with the correct amount of pressure. And it's dangerous! It's similar to hydroplaning. Avoid it.
For car care and maintenance, Joe Bowman Auto Plaza has certified Chevy mechanics that work on all kinds of vehicles. For service you can trust, visit our service department today!
