Winter Wonderland Car Care: Square Tire’s Top Tips for Cold Weather

25 Mar Winter Wonderland Car Care: Square Tire’s Top Tips for Cold Weather

Walking in a winter wonderland is one thing. Driving in it is a whole different story. Winter driving isn’t always fun, but you can make it safer by making the right decisions for your car.

Don’t worry. You don’t have to invest in a souped-up V10 engine and tank treads if you want to navigate the greater Sioux City, IA or Norfolk, NE area more safely this time of year. All you have to do is follow these tips from Square Tire!

Maintain Headlights 

On some winter days, it feels like night starts before lunchtime. You need all the help you can get seeing through the inky black Midwest night, which is why you don’t want to get stuck driving a “padiddle” – i.e. a car with one headlight. (You also don’t want to give a cop a reason to make you late for something.)

Headlight maintenance isn’t all about bulb replacement. Make sure no snow is blocking your headlights, and give them a good squeegee each time you gas up. And if your headlights are looking dim or yellow, a restoration kit can make a huge difference.

Maintain Battery

No one wants to be that guy or lady who needs a jump start. Make sure you don’t get stuck in the cold by performing a volt test at least twice per year. A car battery multimeter is surprisingly inexpensive, and when it reads 12.4 to 12.9 volts you’ll know your battery is still good to go. (Alternatively, ask your mechanic to do it.) If your current battery’s voltage falls outside the safe range, a new one is the right way to go!

Flush and Fill Antifreeze

Antifreeze. Its name alone underscores its importance to winter car maintenance. It’s the green fluid that you may have seen dribbling out of car wreckage before, and it contains ethylene glycol which lowers the freezing point of water. Antifreeze prevents water in the radiator from freezing, which can destroy the engine block.

Flushing and filling the radiator is a simple process that anyone can do with a couple of normal tools and a few gallons of antifreeze. But if you’d rather have your mechanic take care of it, so be it!

Keep Gas Tank Filled

It’s a good idea to top off more often during winter. Doing so helps prevent water inside the fuel pump and fuel lines from freezing. If that happens, then you’ll be unable to start your car at best – and buying new parts at worst.

Having more fuel also means you’ll be able to idle longer during an emergency. You never know when you’ll wind up on the wrong side of an hours-long traffic jam. Keeping a fuller tank helps reduce wear and tear on the fuel filter regardless of how cold it is outside, too!

Keep a Survival Kit

You don’t have to be a doomsday prepper to take satisfaction from preparing for hairy situations. That’s why everyone should keep an emergency kit in their car. Make sure yours includes:

*For traction in snow, not kitties

Maintain Tire Pressure

Maintaining the correct pressure in your tires won’t just help them last longer. When tire pressure is too low, it can make steering less responsive and increase braking distance – two aspects of performance that are already harmed enough by winter weather.

For every 10° drop in air temperature, your tires can lose up to one pound per square inch (psi) of air pressure. Consult the sticker inside the driver’s door to learn the recommended psi for your vehicle, and remember to let some air out when warmer weather returns.

Buy Winter Tires

A good set of winter tires can easily spell the difference between getting home safely and getting into an accident. Winter tires’ flexible, aggressive and siped treads provide much better traction on icy, snowy roads than all-season tires can. Look for tires with the three-peak mountain snowflake (TPMS). That indicates they’re made for snowy roads.

Need a new set of quality winter tires? Stop by one of Square Tire’s service centers in Sioux City, IA or Norfolk, NE today to browse our wide selection in stock. We also perform all the repairs and maintenance vehicles need in order to stay safe and sure on winter roads. Contact us today to schedule service!