Take care of your car this winter.
During the winter months, driving conditions are at their most extreme. If you want to avoid costly trips to the auto service center, then you need to take extra care while completing car maintenance tasks. Here are three ways that you can take care of your car this winter.
1) Inspect Your Tires
As the temperature drops, so does your tire pressure. When your tires are low on air, they get too much traction with the road, making them less responsive and more prone to wear and tear. To avoid this issue, check your tire pressure regularly to ensure that it is within the recommended range.
You also need to check the condition of your tires. If they are worn down and raggedy, then your tires will not get adequate traction on the road. This can increase your chances of skidding, especially if you encounter wet or icy spots on the road. To protect yourself from this risk, upgrade your tires in preparation for winter driving conditions.
2) Check Your Fluid Levels
Before winter hits, you should check your car’s fluid levels. For instance, you should make sure that your engine has enough anti-freeze, washer fluid, motor oil, and transmission fluid. Continue to check your fluid levels as temperatures drop. The cold can cause these fluids to contract so, you want to make sure that you always have enough to keep your car running.
3) Maintain Your Battery
Car batteries often break down during the cold winter months. As car batteries are expensive to replace, it’s important that you maintain yours carefully. You should routinely inspect your battery for signs of corrosion. Corrosion shows up as white, chalky marks on the battery. If you notice signs of corrosion, then cover the battery terminal with dielectric grease to prevent the damage from getting worse. To preserve your battery, you should also charge it, inspect your cables and fasteners for damage, and clean the battery with a wire brush. Additionally, you should take your car into the shop and have a service professional check your car’s battery to see if it will survive the cold temperatures.
These are some of the things that you can do to take care of your car this winter. Want another way to protect your car this fall? If so, then contact the experts at Mike Leonard Insurance Agency. Our dedicated team is eager to find you the right coverage from one of our many carriers including: Kemper, MetLife, Nationwide, Travelers, The Hartford, Safeco Insurance, Progressive, and American Strategic Insurance.