If you recently moved into the Columbia, Illinois area from down south, or you're a younger driver, maybe you do not have lots of experience traveling in snow. Winter driving is not something you should take on without the proper knowledge, both on how to drive and how to prepare. Nevertheless, even if you're a veteran motorist in Columbia, Waterloo, Southern Illinois, Millstadt, Freeburg, or Athens, IL, your car needs to be ready for the dangerous winter roads every single year. It is insufficient to understand that you must brake earlier or pulse them, you need to make certain that your whole vehicle is winterized and ready to go. To achieve this, Charlie's Columbia CARSTAR in Columbia, Illinois has assembled this checklist to make sure that your car is snow-ready!
Needless to say, your brakes are especially important when you are driving on roadways that may have snow, ice, or that slushy half-snow stuff. If you feel that your braking system may be malfunctioning for any reason, get them examined by a reliable auto body repair mechanic immediately. Make certain you know whether your brakes are anti-lock or not. If they are anti-lock, utilize your braking system normally if you are feeling your motor vehicle beginning to slide. If you do not have anti-lock, tap your brakes rather than holding them down. It goes contrary to what you will want to do, but it is the best way to regain control over your vehicle.
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Check your tires to ensure that you'll get the traction that you require from them. To do this, you do not have to have a complicated gauge to say if your tires do not have sufficient tread. You only need a penny. Just stick the penny in the tread in a number of different locations on the tire. Make sure that Lincoln’s head is going to the tire. If Lincoln’s head touches the tire, your tires have sufficient tread. If the top of Lincoln’s head does not touch the tire, you need to get better tires.
Needless to say, you are going to need to have an operational heater and defroster system. This is not just for your own comfort and ease though. If your back and front defrosters aren't working, you need to take your motor vehicle to an auto body shop so you can have the utmost visibility on winter roads.
Many people overlook that batteries are an important part of preparing your vehicle for cold weather. The connection to the battery ought to be clean, tightly affixed to the battery, and devoid of corrosion. Be certain that the mounting on the battery is tightly secured. Most batteries which are 3 years old or more should be tested to determine if you have to have it replaced.
The best thing that you can do to arrange your vehicle for winter is to take it to an honest Columbia, Illinois mechanic and have them look at things like the hoses, belts, anti-freeze, and exhaust system. If your hoses or belts are weak, the cold weather might affect them and leave you stuck. Having inadequate anti-freeze will damage your cooling system after extended usage. If your exhaust system has leaks in it, dangerous carbon monoxide gas may get into the cab of your vehicle. Particularly if you get marooned somewhere and you have to run the heater to stay warm, this can be very hazardous. As a side note for if you're marooned, make sure a window is cracked and your tail pipe is devoid of snow and ice to provide the carbon monoxide somewhere to go.
Ensure that you have sufficient washer fluid too. Winter driving is characterized by a great deal of that slushy, muddy stuff. Washer fluid will increase your visibility, which is obviously a good thing.
You've probably observed how stores carry special rubber-coated windshield wiper blades which are specially made for snowy weather. Regardless of how good of shape your windshield wipers are in, think about investing in these snow-blades. They are well suited for handling the extra weight of snow that they'll have to handle.
Lastly, keep plenty of gas in your vehicle's gas tank. The general rule is to not have less than half of a tank at any time. Definitely, that depends on your particular vehicle, but following this rule will allow you to make certain that your fuel lines do not freeze.
Charlie's Columbia CARSTAR in Columbia, Illinois see loads of vehicles which were not ready for winter roll through their auto body repair shop. I hope this information has offered you an idea of ways to prepare your vehicle for the hazardous conditions of winter. However, it's a given that even the most skilled seasonal driver with the most well-prepared vehicle can wind up in an auto body accident in Columbia, Illinois. If that's how it is for you, I hope you'll think about going to Charlie's Columbia CARSTAR.
Needless to say, your brakes are especially important when you are driving on roadways that may have snow, ice, or that slushy half-snow stuff. If you feel that your braking system may be malfunctioning for any reason, get them examined by a reliable auto body repair mechanic immediately. Make certain you know whether your brakes are anti-lock or not. If they are anti-lock, utilize your braking system normally if you are feeling your motor vehicle beginning to slide. If you do not have anti-lock, tap your brakes rather than holding them down. It goes contrary to what you will want to do, but it is the best way to regain control over your vehicle.
Needless to say, you are going to need to have an operational heater and defroster system. This is not just for your own comfort and ease though. If your back and front defrosters aren't working, you need to take your motor vehicle to an auto body shop so you can have the utmost visibility on winter roads.
Many people overlook that batteries are an important part of preparing your vehicle for cold weather. The connection to the battery ought to be clean, tightly affixed to the battery, and devoid of corrosion. Be certain that the mounting on the battery is tightly secured. Most batteries which are 3 years old or more should be tested to determine if you have to have it replaced.
The best thing that you can do to arrange your vehicle for winter is to take it to an honest Columbia, Illinois mechanic and have them look at things like the hoses, belts, anti-freeze, and exhaust system. If your hoses or belts are weak, the cold weather might affect them and leave you stuck. Having inadequate anti-freeze will damage your cooling system after extended usage. If your exhaust system has leaks in it, dangerous carbon monoxide gas may get into the cab of your vehicle. Particularly if you get marooned somewhere and you have to run the heater to stay warm, this can be very hazardous. As a side note for if you're marooned, make sure a window is cracked and your tail pipe is devoid of snow and ice to provide the carbon monoxide somewhere to go.
Ensure that you have sufficient washer fluid too. Winter driving is characterized by a great deal of that slushy, muddy stuff. Washer fluid will increase your visibility, which is obviously a good thing.
You've probably observed how stores carry special rubber-coated windshield wiper blades which are specially made for snowy weather. Regardless of how good of shape your windshield wipers are in, think about investing in these snow-blades. They are well suited for handling the extra weight of snow that they'll have to handle.
Lastly, keep plenty of gas in your vehicle's gas tank. The general rule is to not have less than half of a tank at any time. Definitely, that depends on your particular vehicle, but following this rule will allow you to make certain that your fuel lines do not freeze.
Charlie's Columbia CARSTAR in Columbia, Illinois see loads of vehicles which were not ready for winter roll through their auto body repair shop. I hope this information has offered you an idea of ways to prepare your vehicle for the hazardous conditions of winter. However, it's a given that even the most skilled seasonal driver with the most well-prepared vehicle can wind up in an auto body accident in Columbia, Illinois. If that's how it is for you, I hope you'll think about going to Charlie's Columbia CARSTAR.