Give Your Car a Winter Check-Up
While it can be exciting to see snow hit our beautiful high-desert landscape (especially around the holidays), inclement weather can mean dangerous driving conditions and increased risk of accidents.
As we dive deeper into winter, here’s your reminder to give your car a basic health check.
Check Your Car BatteryC
Most car batteries last between four to five years; however, some may only last about 3 years in warmer climates. Before we see more snow, be sure to check your car battery. If you’d rather have this completed by a professional, organizations like AutoZone and Pep Boys usually offer free battery testing.
Is it Time to Rotate or Change Your Tires?
Regardless of weather conditions, it’s important to know when tires need to be rotated or replaced. This becomes even more important when there’s a chance of driving on icy roads.
According to Pep Boys, the penny test is a reliable and easy way to check tire tread and determine if tires are due for a swap. To have adequate traction when driving on snowy roads, a tire requires a 6/32-inch deep tread at a minimum. The United States DOT recommends changing your tires when depth falls to 2/32″.
Fill Your Wiper Fluid Reservoir & Replace Wipers When Needed
If your windshield wipers aren’t functioning perfectly, it’s time to troubleshoot and/or replace them. This small investment may save a life. Be sure to fill your windshield washer reservoir with no-freeze fluid and check your antifreeze level as well.
Make a Winter Essentials Driving Kit
This is also a great time to load your trunk with a winter driving kit. Include the following items:
- ice scraper and shovel
- jumper cables
- a flashlight with extra batteries
- blankets
- gloves
- sand and/or kitty litter and/or gravel and/or salt
- a spare cell phone or solar charger may come in handy and can be pulled out of your trunk in a pinch.
- When snowfall is heavy or you’re stranded, flares and matches might also prove a good investment, especially if road trips are in your future.
Wishing you a safe holiday season!
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