15-Point Vehicle Winterization Plan

Jul 13, 2022

travel safety

Author: LARRY PHILLIPS

Preparing for Snow, Ice and Dangerous Winter Road Conditions.

HAVE YOUR CAR SERVICED FOR WINTER CONDITIONS

Winter can be a tough season on cars but if you are prepared beforehand then those icy hills will not get in your way! Service your vehicle to prepare it for the challenges that come with this time of year.

HOSES AND BELTS

Winter vehicle issues include belts that break or go bad due to freezing temperatures, hoses that crack under pressure caused by cold weather conditions, spark plugs, wires and cables can corrode and stiffen during freezing temperatures.

BATTERIES

The cold winter months are tough to get through, and it can be even harder when you have a low-charge battery that is unable to start your car. The good news? Your auto care provider has an answer for you--install a new 600 CCA or higher (cold cranking amps) battery so that the freezing temperatures won't stop you from getting anywhere!

BRAKES

are an important part of your car’s safety system, but when you have winter weather to worry about the main question is if they will be up for it. Most recent vehicles come with antilock brakes as a standard feature nowadays and function well in all conditions. Still, regular inspections will ensure that your braking performance does not diminish during those cold winter months.

COOLING SYSTEM

Maintaining a manufacturer recommended coolant-to-water ratio is crucial to the safety of your vehicle. If you do not know what type of antifreeze should be used or how much to use, consult with a technician before driving! The recommended ratio is between 50/50 and 70/30 of antifreeze to water.

KEEP THE GAS TANK AT LEAST HALF FULL

When the cold winds of winter blow, you need to keep your gas tank full. Why? Well for starters it prevents condensation from freezing up and clogging the line - imagine being stranded with no heat! That is not all: a full tank can also be used to run your heater for warmth in an emergency situation. Fuel is a very important thing to consider this time of year.

INSTALL WINTER WIPERS

A winter storm may be weeks or a few months away, set yourself up for success by getting new durable wiper blades before winter hits so they can provide dependable quality performance during those cold months.

Winter wipers will protect against ice buildup as well because their exclusive designs include features like rubber booting along each blade edge which prevents moisture build up between the frame and glass, keeping everything clear. They are the only way to guarantee a clear view when driving in bad weather. Using windshield wiper fluid will increase during winter make sure to check it regularly and keep fluid levels full using wiper fluid formulated for winter.

WINTER TIRES

Come winter, it is crucial to have a tire that can take the beating of snow and ice. Winter tires are specifically designed for this purpose; they grip better in cold weather conditions, so your car stays on the road instead of skidding off onto an icy patch or into traffic.

Choosing all-season tires may seem like a safe option when getting new rubber for your ride but there's more than just one type! For example, if you live somewhere where winters get wickedly cold with freezing temperatures (like Detroit), then we recommend installing winter tires during your "winterizing" process to ensure maximum performance while keeping safety at top priority.

MAINTAIN TIRE PRESSURE

All you need to know about tire pressure is that it could mean the difference between safety and disaster. One degree may seem like nothing, but even a 10° change can alter your tires' air level by 1 PSI - in effect changing their shape or size from car-sized to balloon-sized! This means uneven weight distribution throughout your vehicle which would put extra stress on suspension components. If you want

smoother rides with less wear and tear on parts then be sure to check your tire pressure more often during winter when tire pressure can drop as low as 15 PSI due to lower temperatures outside. The opposite can happen during summer months where high temperatures can cause tire PSI to rise above the manufacturers recommended PSI levels.... hot!

ROADSIDE EMERGENCY KIT

A good roadside emergency kit will contain as many as 100 pieces in an all-in-one kit. Some of the basic must-haves include air compressor, roadside flares or high visibility strobe light, first-aid kit, reflective triangles, small shovel, jumper cables, tow-strap, spare fuses, small tool kit, duct tape, zip ties, flashlight, blanket, rain-poncho, reflective vest, glass breakage hammer with seat-belt cutter, gloves and utility knife.

FIRST-AID KIT

A first aid kit is an essential piece of emergency gear to have in your vehicle. It's not a matter of if you'll need it, but when. Having some basic first aid supplies on hand can help you provide quick care for someone who has cut themselves until first responders arrive or your able to get medical attention.

The Red Cross recommends that all first aid kits for a family of four include the following:

• 2 absorbent compress dressings (5 x 9 inches)

• 25 adhesive bandages (assorted sizes)

• 1 adhesive cloth tape (10 yards x 1 inch)

• 5 antibiotic ointment packets (approximately 1 gram)

• 5 antiseptic wipe packets

• 2 packets of aspirin (81 mg each)

• 1 emergency blanket

• 1 breathing barrier (with one-way valve)

• 1 instant cold compress

• 2 pair of nonlatex gloves (size: large)

• 2 hydrocortisone ointment packets (approximately 1 gram each)

• 1 3 in. gauze roll (roller) bandage

• 1 roller bandage (4 inches wide)

• 5 3 in. x 3 in. sterile gauze pads

• 5 sterile gauze pads (4 x 4 inches)

• Oral thermometer (non-mercury/nonglass)

• 2 triangular bandages

• Tweezers

• First-Aid Guide

CHECK FOR CHANGING TEMPERATURES THAT COULD AFFECT TRACTION

On those cold winter days, you have to keep in mind that the temperature outside doesn’t always stay constant. It can change at any moment and could affect your driving ability or traction if there is a sudden shift without proper preparation. Driving in winter can be especially challenging due to the changing weather conditions.

You should drive more cautiously in the winter because it is a time of year when conditions are unpredictable. In order to be safe, you need to take into account that while people generally have better traction at 0° than they do at 32° weather due to surfaces becoming slippery as temperatures rise, many other factors can make driving dangerous including ice and snow on your windows which makes visibility difficult or even nonexistent.

TIRE CHAINS

Do not let icy roads get the best of you - use snow chains! They are inexpensive and easy to install. If your vehicle is front wheel drive, place them on the front wheels. Rear-wheel drives should have their rear tires installed with snow chains, but if it has four-wheel driving capabilities then chain all four tires. Follow auto manufacturers and tire chain instructions.

STUDDED TIRES

It is widely accepted that driving on icy roads can be dangerous if you do not have the proper equipment. Forgoing chains and snow tires, many people opt for studded winter tires to get more traction in these conditions. Studs are a type of tire with small rubber or metal studs that help your car maintain grip when passing over ice or hardpacked snow-covered ground because they give vehicles additional gripping power which prevents them from slipping off the road during severe blizzards. There are laws regulating the use of studded tires. Some states only allow studded tires during certain times of year. Check will your local law enforcement agency for any restrictions.

KEEP YOUR REAR-WINDOW DEFROSTER IN WORKING ORDER

It is important to make sure that you can see behind your car while driving. All windows must be clear of condensation and debris in order for this to happen, which isn't always the case with winter conditions. This means checking all window defrosters before cold weather arrives, so they are working properly when needed most!

Being unable to see what's going on as soon as it happens could create unsafe driving conditions-that’s why several states have laws stating that all your rear-view mirrors need a clean surface without any snow, ice or other obstruction blocking your visibility at any time. When winterizing your vehicle check each mirror one by one, ensure no vehicle lights have been obstructed and make sure the back windshield wipers are not damaged.

LEARN WINTER EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS

Roadside emergencies are something we all hope to never experience, but if you ever get found in a dire situation it is crucial that you know what do beforehand. If a winter storm hits while driving and makes your car impossible to drive, do not leave the vehicle for risk of losing sight of it; instead turn on vehicle long enough to stay warm and then shut off again before exhaust fumes can cause carbon monoxide poisoning. Put dome lights on as an attention-grabbing beacon.

LEARN HOW-TO DRIVE-IN WINTER CONDITIONS

You do not need to wait for a blizzard before you know how-to drive-in winter conditions. Learn more about safe travel and other safety topics be enrolling in one of our online safety courses today.

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