Tips to prepare your car for winter

Looking for tips to prepare your car this winter? Here is your car’s winter preparation checklist. Prepare your car this season with these ultimate winter preparation facts. From batteries to wipers, here is all you need to know to keep your car winter-ready. 

With seasonal changes being inevitable, the only way to protect your four-wheeler is to winterproof it. No matter how well maintained your car is during other seasons, your car will require additional care and love during winter. Without this extra attention, believe me, your car might lose its actual capacity. 

When I say this, I don’t mean the life of your car in a long run. There are chances that if you don’t keep your vehicle winter-ready, it might stop midway during your winter vacation drive. 

So, if you wonder what precautionary measures you should take to prepare your car for winter, then here are 5 important checks to prepare your car this winter.

Under bright sunny weather if your car’s batteries experience a particular amount of strain, then during winter it experiences twice the level of strain. This is because the cold temperature out there tends to cool your motor’s oil. Cold oil doesn’t flow freely and hence the lubrication in your vehicle is not normal during winter. And so your batteries have to perform an extra mile to provide all the energy required to put the motor to work. Ugh! That is a humongous task indeed. 

If your batteries are working normally, then during winter it would be easy for the battery to cope with the motor’s requirements. On average, each car battery lasts for a minimum of 5 years. But a damaged battery is a sign of trouble and winter just aggravates the problem. Also, do not forget to check if your battery terminals are corroded. Having an expert mechanic to check your car’s batteries can save a lot of time and makes sure you don’t spend much time and money on roadside battery service on your drives. 

The next element in your car that requires attention is your tire. Tires normally tend to wear out after a course of time. In addition, during winter, there is a higher probability for your tires to deflate. So making sure that your car’s tires are with the normal pressure is important. This isn’t a one time task. Often, probably every week, your car’s tire pressure demands a check. You can’t always expect an emergency flat tire service to be available around you always, right?

A deflated tire in the first place consumes a lot of fuel. It also wears your tire off earlier than the expected time. Maintaining your tire’s proper pressure saves a lot of money and also reduces your risk of standing on the road with a damaged tire during your travel. 

As far as cars are concerned, having a proper braking system is essential. Unlike two-wheelers, one cannot bring cars to a halt with ease, without a proper braking system. And winters are always trouble makers for your car’s brakes. Changing your brake fluid once in a while is always recommended. We would recommend an exclusive brake fluid change just before winter. 

In the northern part of India, where the weather tends to be harsh, the brake fluid experience serious damage. The fog and humid conditions bring in a lot of moisture and water molecules that damage the normal functioning of your car’s brake system. In India, brake failures contribute to nearly 2% of all accidents that take place every year. With that said, you definitely would have understood the importance of brakes for a safe driving experience, haven’t you?

Wiper checks though are not given much importance, are to be prioritised as well. This is because the weather in North India, especially during November and December is so harsh, that the fog covers your entire windshield. In that case, only a properly maintained wiper blade can come to your rescue. Also, did you just realize that 90 percent of decisions that you make during driving is based on your vision?

Damaged or malfunctioning wipers can have a serious impact on the driver’s vision. Driving without a proper functioning wiper is a highly risky thing, and we bet you wouldn’t take that risk with your vehicle and your life. Though wiper blades don’t cost much, most people are hesitant to change them. A few bucks on your windshield can save you from a greater mishap that might occur. Agreeable, right?

This might seem like a funny fact, but trust me with this. A tank that is filled up to the quarter tends to accumulate more moisture. The more your tank contains fuel, the less moisture inside. This interior moisture can collapse your vehicle’s function. We recommend you keep your vehicle’s tank at least half-filled during winter.

And in the case of a vehicle that is barely driven during winter, leaving the tank full during the resting time could be highly beneficial. The internal moisture build-up is uncontrollable and filling up your tank is the only precautionary measure you can take to prevent your vehicle from damage. 

Winter is an extreme weather condition that is unfavorable not just to us, but also to our vehicles. With that note in mind, we recommend a full and thorough inspection of your vehicle before winter to prevent a roadside breakdown. Along with the physical check, also make sure you renew your car’s insurance and 24 hour Road Side Assistance schemes. This could be your savior in the event of a mishap. Allianz Assistance offers the best roadside rescue with their timely response and quick recovery time.