Winter Preparation

​Checklist For Winter Weather Vehicle Service

Are you ready for the winter? If this is absolutely a yes, then you should have a winter weather vehicle service to take you everywhere. However, do you think your vehicle is ready for the icy roads?
Driving outside for work, school, gatherings or some events during the winter season is quite challenging. This is why it is extremely necessary to prepare not only yourself, but also your vehicle, especially on long trips. Performing the following checklist on your winter weather vehicle service will let you save time and avoid ending up stranded on the snowy streets.
Get Winter Road Details Before Leaving The House
Before you plan to go outside and drive your winter weather vehicle service, especially during a snowy night make sure to get the details first of the winter road conditions. You should know what to expect outside so that unexpected circumstances could be avoided. This will help you prepare everything in your winter weather vehicle service and keep you safe on a long drive. There are some websites where you can use to check the winter road conditions even in individual metropolitan areas.
Winterizing The Vehicle
There is a simple trick for your winter weather vehicle service known as the “Winterize Your Car” trick.  Just like other machines, vehicles also need maintenance. There are some steps you need to follow in order to winterize correctly.
1.    Check the tire pressure using a tire pressure gauge. Remember that in this step, the gauge typically comes from the car dealership. Use a gauge that varies based on the make and model of your winter weather vehicle service.
You will only have to remove the end caps of the tires. Next is to gently press the gauge into the air valve and quickly push it in a downward direction. To get accurate results on the recommended level of tire pressure, few readings are necessary.
2.    Check the tire treads using a quarter tricks. Dunking a George Washington’s head coin shows how much tread is left. If the tread was not able to reach the head of the Washington coin, then it is now time to replace the tread.
3.     Checking the antifreeze. Your winter weather vehicle service needs a coolant (antifreeze) for its radiator. The radiator helps cool the vehicle’s engine. If necessary, you have to purchase antifreeze and install it in your vehicle. The coolant level should reach the “Full” line. It could be a 50-50 mixture of water and coolant.
Pack Some Heat
Winter weather can be dangerous for drivers, especially on ice and sloppy road conditions. Whether you will be travelling far or near, packing a bundle of cold-weather gear in your winter weather vehicle service are essential. Things like extra food, water, warm clothing, blankets, flashlight, hand warmers, medications, glass scraper and more should be carried on your travel.
Gather The Winter Driving Essentials
Personal safety is the most important consideration in driving. When you get less fortunate and stall out your winter weather vehicle service out in the middle of nowhere, you have nothing to lean on but the things you prepared along with you. Aside from survival needs like food and warm clothing, here are some survival essential things to bring in the vehicle:
Flares. In an emergency situation, flares would be your last resort. With the use of flares, people can locate you even you are over a mile away.
First Aid Kit. This is the kit which you should keep stocked in the compartment of your vehicle. Having a first aid kit all the time helps a lot in emergency situations.
Extra Washer Fluid. An extra washer fluid for your winter weather vehicle service is often overlooked. Though it can be found in most grocery stores and gas stations, having stock is more advisable.
Jumper Cables. During winter times, the use of jumper cables is absolutely essential. In case your battery experience some trouble, jumper cables would be helpful.
Ice scraper. While it is unlikely, it's possible to get stuck in huge ice on the road. Ice scrapers are very helpful in scraping off the snow and a lifesaver at the same time. With an ice scraper, you can maintain visibility.
Flashlight. Your winter weather vehicle service might run out of battery making you stranded in the dark. A flashlight with replacement batteries will let you see in the dark.
Check the Wipers, Oil, And Battery
The wiper blades are more often taken for granted, but during the winter season, it serves as one of the most important tools. Wiper blades should be replaced more often in as little as six months of use. When you notice some streaks in the window of your winter weather vehicle service, it’s a sure sight of the blades’ retiring.
During cold weather, motor oil thickens making it harder for the engine to do a full turn over. When changing the oil, refer to the manufacturer’s manual for the recommendation. Likewise, ensure to change the oil filter for the best amount of oil flow.
A dead battery in a cold morning is such a hassle. Performing a volt test on your winter weather vehicle service to make sure it can stand the whole winter season. Getting a new battery for your vehicle for days of travel on the icy roads is the guaranteed defences of your winter weather vehicle service.
Keep Tanks With At Least 50% Gas
Secure your gas tank with at least 50 percent of gas in the winter. This is not because of the false belief that less than half-tank gasoline freezes during the winter season, but it is because of other problems that might occur in the system of your winter weather vehicle service. For instance, less than 50 percent of gasoline can form condensation inside the tank which might soon prevent your vehicle from starting.
Inspect Your Tires
It’s the most basic thing that you should do on your winter weather vehicle service whatever the season may be. It is recommended to have at least the minimum of 6/32 inch of tread when you plan to travel on icy roads. Check all four tires of your vehicle as well as its tire pressure.