Once the temperatures at nighttime and in the early morning hours stay at or near 40?, it’s okay to make the switch. Should you decide to install winter tires on your vehicle, it’s essential that you only do so at the right time. Overall, winter tires help provide an extra layer of safety for your winter commutes or family travels, providing more control in adverse weather conditions. Additionally, the deep, wide, jagged treat patterns and gripping edges move precipitation away to maintain traction. This is due to their ability to remain flexible, even when temperatures drop below 40?. Utilizing a specialized rubber, winter tires grip the road better than performance or all-season tires. If you live in an area that has particularly bad roads during winter, or want better traction throughout the season, swapping your tires to specially designed winter tires may be right for you. If you usually see a lot of snow, you may want to consider investing in a set of winter tires.
Your tire’s tread is necessary for traction, but if the tread is low or unevenly worn, driving in wet or slippery conditions can become even more dangerous. Be sure you’re also up-to-date on your tire rotation and don’t forget to check your spare! Your vehicle’s owner’s manual will have your recommended tire pressure, or it may be listed just inside your driver’s side door. Keep an eye on your tire pressure with a check at least once a month as cold weather will cause the air pressure to drop roughly 1 PSI every 10 degrees (Fahrenheit). Your engine could be in tip-top shape, but if your tires aren’t prepared to handle the winter conditions, you could still find yourself slipping and sliding off the roadway despite safe driving practices. Check the Tire Pressure and Condition of Treads If your vehicle is equipped with a newer, multi-rib “serpentine” belt, the materials won’t show obvious signs of wear, but it’s recommended to replace these every 60,000 miles. Squeeze all of the hoses and if any feel brittle or excessively spongy, replace them right away.
You can keep your engine running by checking ahead for any cracking, fraying, leaking, loose clamps, or signs of wear and tear. Your mechanic will be able to help you make this decision.Ĭolder temperatures can weaken the belts and hoses in your engine. Fresh oil will help prevent this from happening, and other approaches like swapping to a synthetic or synthetic blend during the winter can be done, but only if right for your car. Oil becomes an issue during winter as the cold weather can thicken it, reducing its ability to circulate effectively through the engine. You also need to check your engine’s coolant level within the overflow tank while the engine is cold as it will help maintain the capability of your antifreeze. Antifreeze is a must as it prevents water within your engine’s cooling system from freezing. Ensure your transmission, brake, and power steering fluids are all at or above the minimum levels required for safe driving. First and foremost, you want to do what you can to prevent ending up on the side of the road in freezing cold temperatures. Obviously, oil and other engine fluids are essential to a well-performing vehicle. Be sure you cross off each of the items below to keep your vehicle running this season. Over the winter season, you experience weather changes from snow and ice to wind, increased driving, long road trips to visit family or go on vacation, driving through traffic to see fun holiday displays, and more. Get Your Vehicle Ready for the ColdĮnsuring you’ve completed the winter car maintenance checklist is essential. Ensure your vehicle is ready to take on winter driving with our winter car maintenance checklist, then visit your nearest Telle Tire location for comprehensive auto service. Cold weather can be harsh on vehicles and combined with holiday travel and worsening road conditions, it makes winter vehicle maintenance absolutely essential for your safety. Winter is upon us and as the weather continues to get colder and the roads begin to become a bit more treacherous, it’s time to ensure your vehicle is prepared.