How to Winterize Your Car
Unfortunately, the snow, slush, and ice that forms on U.S. roadways causes more than 1,300 deaths and 116,800 injuries in vehicle crashes annually. Even fender benders are more common in the winter, when it's slippery. How can you prevent becoming a statistic? All it takes is a little preparation.
Tired Tires?
The saying, "Tires are your most important safety feature," is as true today as it was when Ford designed the Model T. Few people, though, pay attention to their tires on a regular basis. So before the worst of winter hits, be sure to check these three critical elements:
- Type: If you're going to be in snowy weather, you need snow tires (and chains for extreme conditions) or excellent all-season tires.
- Tread: Tread should be at least 1/16 of an inch. Worn treads negatively affect stopping distance and vehicle control, so replace worn tires immediately. For my money, I'd patronize a business that specializes in tires. And don't forget the spare!
- Inflation: Under-inflated tires risk blowout and reduce gas mileage. Proper inflation offers the highest level of protection.
You or someone in your family may be a great DIYer, but for a really thorough job, get your car serviced by a reliable professional. Whether you go to a dealership or a local mechanic, make sure your vehicles get routine maintenance and ask to have the following checked for winter:
- Leaks
- Hoses (for wear)
- Battery - the battery itself, plus connections
- Cooling and heating systems
- All facets of braking system
- Windshield reservoir and wipers (replace wipers up to twice a year)
- Floor mats, to make sure nothing can get caught under your pedals
Oh Say, Can You See?
The winter nights means more people driving in the dark, especially after work, making good headlights even more important. But the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) found that most vehicles' headlights need improvement.
"One vehicle owner commented to us recently that her SUV should have come with a seeing-eye dog, because the headlights are so poor," said Russ Rader, IIHS SVP of Communications.
Poor headlight illumination has become such a problem that the IIHS is now including headlight ratings in its determination of its famous Top Safety Picks.
A quick fix? Try the inexpensive headlight restoration kits made by Sylvania or Rain-X. There are other kits that require drilling and sanding; these two just require elbow grease.
If your headlights still aren't giving you the illumination you need, Rader recommends using your high beams as much as possible, so long as there isn't a lot of oncoming traffic.
Pack the Right Tools
Nobody expects to get stuck on the road. Consider putting the following in a bag in the trunk as insurance:
- Ice scraper for the windshield, and small broom
- Sand or kitty litter for getting out of snow
- Foldable camping shovel
- Tire chains and snow strap
- Mylar blanket and a wool hat
Consult the "Bible"
The most important recommendation of all is to look through your vehicle's owner's manual. It's your vehicle's "Bible," and you should go to it for guidance for everything from proper tire pressure to what kind of antifreeze to use – even before you check the Internet. You may even find features ("I didn't know it could do that!") used to handle winter weather or emergencies. Pull it out of the glove compartment or visit the vehicle manufacturer's website and give it the attention it deserves, so you're not left out in the cold.
* U.S. Federal Highway Administration
Joanne Helperin is a Los Angeles-based writer/editor and marketer. Dubbed "The Research Queen" by friends and family, she’s known for leaving no stone unturned in her pursuit of stories on health, business, news, technology, and lifestyle. She has written for digital, print and broadcast for more than 20 years.