One of the many aspects of your life that the Minnesota winter can take a toll on is your vehicle. Here are some tips to prepare your car for a cold winter.
Refresh Your Coolant
If your coolant freezes because the proportion is off, it can lead to your vehicle overheating. Get your car’s coolant system checked thoroughly. If there’s a leak, it can be disastrous during the winter, and may leave you stranded if the car does end up overheating. Your safest bet will be to flush out the coolant and install a fresh serving.
Seek Shelter For Your Car
Owning a garage makes this a simple task. But sometimes people can neglect using their garage despite this. Prep your garage if it isn’t in the right state, and start parking your car in there regularly.
You can also invest in a car cover if you don’t own a garage. A cover won’t solve the problem entirely, but it’s a start.
Get Your Windshield Wipers Up To Speed
Worn-out or hardened windshield wipers will be a nuisance when you’re driving through fog or snow. If you’re not sure, get the wipers checked by a professional.
Once you’ve made sure the wipers are up to the task, change your windshield wiper fluid to one that has anti-freeze in it.
Ready Your Wheels For The Cold
Icy roads are another aspect of the winter that your car needs to be ready for. Swap out any tires that have insufficient tire treads. Tire chains are another way to get traction while you’re driving through ice or snow. The most fool-proof solution is to opt for snow tires for the winter.
Keep Warm Clothes In Your Trunk
It’s a good idea to stock up on warm clothes so that you’re prepared for a crisis situation, like your car breaking down. Sometimes, you might even have to place tire chains on your wheels while you’re out in the cold, and warm clothing can preserve your health.
Plan Out An Emergency Kit
Prevention is definitely better than cure, but you can never predict adverse situations. Ready an emergency kit for the winter. A few items you shouldn’t forget are a flashlight, battery operated radio, camping shovel, first aid kit, spare batteries for all your electronic equipment and a tool kit.
Have a few more tips on winter-proofing a vehicle? Share them with us in the comments.
