Winter is often the time when car troubles first appear. Slow performance, rough idle, difficult starts, and occasional pings could all be signs of problems that will only get worse as the weather gets colder. Firestone Complete Auto Care has the following advice to protect your vehicle this winter.
Get Inspected. When the new season arrives, it is a reminder that you should take your vehicle to an automotive technician for an inspection. Your cold-weather inspection should include the following: the battery, cable, terminals, battery batteries, windshield wipers and lights. Your technician should inspect all belts, hoses and heating and cooling systems as well as your exhaust system.
Make sure you are prepared for winter weather by keeping emergency supplies in your car. A spare tire, an electric scraper, a flashlight and warm clothes are essential.
You can use a container of sand, or cat litter to help you gain traction in the snow or on an area of ice. Keep your fuel tank topped up.
Safely rolling: On wet roads, it can take up four times the usual stopping distance to stop. Tires may hydroplane, skim or slide across the road surface if they are not properly tyred.
The penny test is a way to test the tread of your vehicle’s tires. Your tire tread could be too worn if you can see Lincoln’s top after you have inserted the penny into the tread.
Maintain your Tire Pressure: Check the tread and inspect your tires at least once a month. Your vehicle’s tire pressure will drop as the temperature drops. Your tires lose 1 pound per square inch of air pressure for every 10 degrees drop in temperature. You can improve the traction of your vehicle on slick roads by keeping your tires properly inflated.
Visit this site for more information on winter driving and safety tips. www.FirestoneCompleteAutoCare.com.
