Your car in winter

Replace existing wiper blades at the beginning of each
winter so driver visibility is not compromised. Metro photo

As the seasons change, motorists must take steps to safeguard their vehicles, especially when the season changes from fall to winter. Taking steps to prepare vehicles for winter weather is a vital step that can make cars and trucks safer for drivers and their passengers.

Old batteries should be replaced before winter begins. Most batteries last between three and five years. However, extreme cold can compromise batteries. especially those that have been around awhile. According to AAA’s Automotive Research Center, at 0 C, the average battery loses 35 per cent of its strength.

Keeping a car waxed and sealed can help maintain a durable exterior finish. This includes not only the paint, but the rubber and vinyl parts of the car’s exterior. Winter is a good time to switch to a heavy-duty synthetic wax that can shield against water and road salts. Do not stop washing your car just because the weather is cold. Slushy, wet roads and snow-melting salts can speed up the formation of rust or other decay on the undercarriage of the vehicle.

According to the automotive retailer Pep Boys, vehicle tires lose a pound of air pressure for every 5 C   drop in temperature. Many modern cars will alert to changes in air pressure, and drivers should be diligent in maintaining the proper tire pressure.

Visibility is key in hazardous weather conditions, and keeping the windshield clean is a priority. This means ensuring there is enough windshield wiper fluid in the car.  Wiper blades can freeze and crack in the winter. Older blades may be more susceptible to damage. It’s a worthy investment to replace existing wiper blades at the start of each winter. When vehicles are parked, pull the wipers off of the windshield to safeguard them from sticking and cracking.

Metro