![\"Over-preparing](\"https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/blog.turo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/steve-long-B02-PZakZvg-unsplash.jpg?fit=762%2C381&ssl=1\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n1. Set a schedule for winter car maintenance<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
While you can’t predict when the first blizzard of the season will hit, you can get ahead of it by setting aside a few hours to dedicate to winter car maintenance as you get deeper into the fall months. Put it on your calendar, add your car maintenance checklist, set it to repeat annually, so you won\u2019t be surprised next year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
2. Check your antifreeze levels<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
If you\u2019re not familiar with what\u2019s under the hood of your car, now is the time to give yourself an orientation. Since antifreeze is the liquid that will keep your vehicle from freezing in the winter, it\u2019s crucial you know where it is, how to check the levels and if needed, how to adjust. If you\u2019re not familiar with how much antifreeze you need, make sure to check your vehicle\u2019s manual and ask your mechanic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
3. Inspect your tires<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Slipping and sliding in the snow is not only scary, but it\u2019s also dangerous, especially if you\u2019re slipping into other cars on the road. Check the tread of your tires by using the \u201cLincoln\u201d test. Place a nickel into one of the grooves of your tire, and If your car has less tread than the height of the nickel, it\u2019s probably time to rotate or replace your tires \u2014 even for summer roads. If it snows with regularity where you live, a set of winter tires is highly recommended.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In addition to the tread, check your tires\u2019 air pressure. Most cars are equipped with sensors to tell you if the tire pressure is low, but you\u2019ll still have to learn how to add more air to your tires before it\u2019s snowing outside. Or ask the shop to check your tires if you\u2019re already there for regular maintenance or an oil change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
4. Switch to winter wiper fluid and winter-grade oil<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
If you bring your car to the shop to change your oil, ask them about winter-grade oil, which has a lower viscosity grade that what you usually use and will help keep your car running in the winter. You\u2019ll also want to replace your regular wiper fluid, which may freeze and cause damage to your windshield upon contact, with winter wiper fluid.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
5. Check your window defrosters<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Seeing what\u2019s behind you is as important as seeing what\u2019s happening in front of your car. Make sure the rear-window defroster is doing its job, and if it\u2019s not, have it checked right away! And if you\u2019re not sure how to use the rear-window defroster, along with other safety features that can help you this winter, set some time to test them out now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
6. Prepare an emergency safety kit<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Getting stranded in the snow is a scary situation, especially on remote mountain highways. While you hope it never happens, it\u2019s a good idea to put together a winter safety box to keep in your car in case you get caught out in a blizzard for a few hours or even overnight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you tend to take long trips through remote areas, here are some winter supply items that you should keep in this box:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Flashlight with batteries<\/li>
- Ice scraper<\/li>
- Jumper cables <\/li>
- Non-perishable food and drinks<\/li>
- Extra antifreeze<\/li>
- Car toolkit<\/li>
- Charged cell phone or external battery pack<\/li>
- Extra warm clothes (socks!)<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Make sure to check the contents of the box regularly all winter long to make sure batteries haven\u2019t been depleted or items are missing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stay safe this winter<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Ensuring your car\u2019s ability to keep you and your family safe this winter should be on the top of your to-do list. It\u2019s not enough for your car to run well when the conditions are mild, but it\u2019s even more critical for your vehicle to be in great shape when the conditions become dangerous and icy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And if your current vehicle isn\u2019t suitable for the cold<\/a> (where are those heated seats when you need them?) and you\u2019re considering purchasing a more suitable vehicle for the winter months, consider booking a test drive first on Turo<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You can try out a car’s winter features like heated seats, adaptive headlights, and forward collision avoidance while seeing how well the vehicle drives in winter conditions. And you\u2019ll be able to make a more informed decision long before you meet a car salesperson.<\/p>\n\n\n