How to protect your car in freezing weather
As temperatures continue to dip down and stay low, we’ve got a number of challenges here in the Fond du Lac area, and they pretty much all revolve around staying warm. We’ve got to contend with extra heating costs for our homes and businesses, bundling ourselves and the family up properly to stay warm… and then there’s the issue of how to take care of our vehicles when the weather gets extremely cold, particularly if we need to leave it outside for extended periods of time throughout the day, evening, or both. Today we’ll give you some ideas for how to protect your car in freezing weather that we hope will be of use to you this season.
The key thing to do in this situations is to do everything you can to get out ahead of the problem. Just like you need to buy and put on the proper winter gear before you ever set foot outside on a freezing day, preemptive action is the key for winter car survival as well. These are some things you can do to prepare:
Have emergency supplies on hand. In particular, you’ll want jumper cables in case your battery won’t start in freezing temperatures — this can be the difference between a quick fix and a hefty towing bill.
Speaking of the battery, go ahead and have yours checked and replaced if necessary. The rule of thumb is to have it changed out every three to five years to avoid having it unexpectedly die on you. A trusted mechanic can let you know the condition of your current battery.
Watch your fluids, including gas. The more you can stay on top of gas and other fluids, the less chance they’ll have of freezing up on you. Make sure you’re up to date on your oil changes as well.
Your tires need attention, too. You’ll lose pressure much faster in winter, so keep an eye on that to avoid issues that include unnecessary wear and tear, lowered fuel efficiency, and damage.
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