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Winter is coming! No, it’s not just the characters in Game of Thrones that should prepare for the arrival of the cold season, but everybody else as well and that includes preparing your car.
Driving in winter can pose a series of challenges. As the temperatures drop, you’ll have ice and snow as your new driving companions and your car must be ready to handle these changes.
It’s not enough to be a cautious driver. Harsh weather conditions can play tricks even on the most experienced of us and that’s why it’s important to know what you have to do to keep yourself safe when you hit the winter road. Even if your budget is limited, there are a few things you can do to winterize your car that won’t cost you a fortune.
Do a general inspection at the beginning of winter
The first thing you can to do to make sure that your car is going to perform well during the winter months is to do a general inspection. A rigorous inspection of the exterior of your car will help you see if there’s anything wrong with it and fix it in due time.
Checking your battery is also important as dealing with low temperatures means that it takes more power to start the engine. If you know that your vehicle’s battery is old and tired, you should probably consider replacing it with a brand new one.
Change your tires
Some drivers use all-season tires and that is absolutely fine, especially if you know you won’t have to deal with extreme winter conditions. But if you want to be extra safe, you should switch to winter tires during the cold season.
It’s better to be safe than sorry. If you’re thinking about changing your tires, you can check Princess Auto deals for the best options for your car and get behind the wheel with one less thing to worry about.
Create an emergency kit
Worst case scenario: your car breaks down and you remain stranded in the middle of nowhere during a snowstorm. Then an emergency kit can make all the difference between spending ages in a remote location and getting back home safe and sound.
Make a list with all the essentials that might save you if you find yourself in a tricky situation. Here are a few items that can come in handy:
- First aid kit
- Car tool kit, jumper cables, ice scraper, a bag of sand and a shovel
- Flashlight, batteries, portable cell phone charger, matches, flares
- Food and beverage
- Warm clothing
It’s also important to educate yourself on how to drive during winter. Read a few guides on how to drive on snowy roads and practice what you read when the time comes.
Finally, prepare yourself mentally. In your daily rush to get from point A to point B it’s easy to forget about the context and drive as if it’s the middle of the summer, so be careful, be patient and stay safe.
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This content is sponsored by Stephen Marshal.
Photo: Shutterstock