Temperatures are falling with the leaves, and that means that winter is right around the corner. Before temperatures drop to freezing, taking some time to prepare your vehicle for the cold of winter can help you ensure optimal performance in the coming months. It can also help you reduce your risk of an auto collision and keep you and your family safe through the holidays and New Year.
How the Cold Affects Cars & How to Combat It
How to Prep Your Vehicle for the Impacts of Winter Cold
Freezing temperatures and icy/snowy conditions can:
- Impact your vehicle’s electrical system – In fact, your battery’s voltage can be drained by the cold, making it more difficult to start your car. If you are unaware of this problem and it persists, that could mean that, one day when you are getting ready to drive somewhere, your vehicle just won’t start.Vehicle prep tip: Check the battery and replace it if needed. Also, keep a vehicle safety kit in your car with jump cables so that a dead battery won’t leave you stranded for hours somewhere far from home.
- Make the fluids in your vehicle thicker – And this can mean that it takes a lot longer for them to pass through your vehicle’s vital systems. This can lead to poor performance or, in more critical situations, equipment malfunctions and/or breakdowns.Vehicle prep tip: Have your vehicle serviced before winter, and consider changing out your oil with some that is specially formulated for cold/freezing weather.
- Damage your wiper blades – Depending on how old your wipers are, it may only take a few slushy, snowy days for the blades to start cracking or breaking. And broken blades can mean poor visibility, which can be incredibly dangerous when the weather turns for the worse.Vehicle prep tip: Replace your wiper blades now, and/or buy a spare pair of wiper blades to keep with you just in case the ones you have now cause problems in the future.
- Decrease your tire pressure – In fact, experts say that the tire pressure will drop about 1 psi for every 10 degrees the temperature drops. And underinflated tires can mean a greater risk of blowouts, losing control of your vehicle and getting into a crash.Vehicle prep tip: Consider replacing your tires before winter if it’s been a while since you have done this. Also, get in the habit of regularly checking your tire pressure during the wintertime so you can maintain optimal tire pressure and performance.
Contact a Denver Car Accident Attorney at Cederberg Law
If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident – or if you have lost a loved one in a motor vehicle accident, contact a Denver car accident attorney at Cederberg Law to find out more about your best options for financial recovery.
To meet with us at no cost or obligation to you, call us at 303-499-0449 or email us using the form at the side of the screen. In addition to offering free initial consults and contingency fee options, our lawyers make hospital visits to ensure that you have access to the legal support you need – whenever you need it.
