As the hot summer days begin to cool and the leaves begin to turn the landscape into a beautiful colorful masterpiece, car owners should start thinking about winter-proofing their vehicles. Winter weather conditions, such as snow, ice, rain, sleet, fog and winds can spell disaster for motorists in Tennessee and across the U.S. It only takes a small oversight or a mechanical system defect for a mishap to occur. Not only do these problems endanger the lives of car owners and their passengers, but they put other peoples’ lives at risk as well.
According to Today.com, there are several crucial elements to performing a pre-winter car inspection. These include the following:
- Change the windshield wiper blades to ensure a clean swipe.
- Get the right type of oil that won’t thicken in colder climates.
- Make sure that the tire pressure is adequate as air pressure tends to drop in cold temperatures.
- Consider snow tires for better traction and stability in bad weather conditions.
- Top off the vehicle’s liquids, such as antifreeze, coolant and windshield wiper fluid.
It is important that car owners keep certain items in their vehicles as well, according to the Automobile Association. In addition to keeping a blanket and a first-aid kit in the car in case a hazardous situation occurs, people should make sure they have an ice scrapper, flashlight, rock salt and tire chains if they are going to be driving in the mountains.
A basic tune-up from a trusted mechanic can also help to ensure that people have not overlooked essential components of the vehicle, such as the steering system, hoses, belts, spark plugs, ignition fuel filters and emission filters.