Winter, spring, summer, or fall—there’s no time of year that your car isn’t at risk of breaking down. That’s why staying on top of your vehicle’s maintenance year-round is important.
From checking the tires and battery to making sure you have enough gas in the tank for a trip and checking for oil leaks, here are some tips on how you can keep your car running safely through all four seasons:
1. Check the Tires
Check the tires. Tires should be checked at least once a month in order to check for tread depth and tire pressure.
Also, it’s recommended that you rotate your tires every 5,000 miles because they wear unevenly if they stay on one side of the car too often.
If you see any signs of cracking or bulging side walls or if your tires have been punctured by thorns or nails, it’s time to replace them with new ones as soon as possible.
Otherwise, your car may blow a tire at highway speeds, leading to an accident that requires the help of an attorney such as these.
2. Keep the Battery Charged
Keeping the battery charged is a simple way to keep your vehicle running in cold weather. Before winter, it’s best to fully charge the battery so that you don’t have to worry about draining it when you need it most.
Battery drain can occur even when your car is off if any of its electrical components are still drawing power from the battery, such as:
- Electronic accessories like heated seats
- Some accessories that you charge through the car lighter
- Door locks and windows (which may be locked but not all shut)
3. Check the Brakes
Checking your brakes is a quick and easy way to ensure safety for yourself, your passengers, and other drivers on the road.
Check the brake fluid level regularly. This can help prevent anything from minor grinding noises to total failure of your vehicle, so it’s important to keep an eye on this as often as possible.
You also need to check for excessive wear on brake pads or rotors by gently pressing them with your fingers.
If they are worn down too far, then there needs to be some work done before you get back out onto the road again.
4. Keep Fuel in the Tank
When it comes to your car, the fuel tank is one of the most important features. It’s not just about getting from point A to point B; it’s also about safety and protection.
So how much fuel do you need in your car? That depends on what kind of vehicle you’re driving and how far from civilization you plan to head.
If there aren’t any gas stations nearby, then opt for a full tank so that no matter what happens on your journey, there will be plenty of fuel left in case an emergency arises (like if someone needs medical treatment).
5. Inspect Your Antifreeze Levels
Antifreeze is important because it helps prevent corrosion and rust from forming in your cooling system. It also helps keep the engine cool, so it’s crucial to make sure that you have enough of it in your car at all times.
When checking for low levels of antifreeze, remove the radiator cap slowly to allow any pressure build-up inside the cooling system to escape.
6. Replace Your Windshield Wipers Every Six Months
Wipers are an important safety feature on your vehicle, so keeping them working properly is important.
Wiper blades should be replaced every six months or sooner if they are cracked or worn or if they’re not clearing your windshield properly.
7. Carry a Basic Roadside Emergency Kit
A basic roadside emergency kit will include a spare tire, jack, lug wrench, spare fuses, battery jumper cables, flares, and a first aid kit.
If you feel like adding more items to your road kit:
- Tire inflator
- Battery charger
- Tire pressure gauge
Visit this site for more ideas on what to include in your roadside emergency kit.
Conclusion
Year-round, regular maintenance is important for your vehicle’s health and keeping it running safely. But you should be especially vigilant in the winter.
While cold weather puts less stress on a car than hot temperatures, there are still plenty of ways that winter weather can cause problems for your vehicle.
Keeping up with tune-ups and other routine maintenance during the cold months will help prevent certain issues from arising when you need your car most.