According to the US Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration, 22% of all auto accidents are weather related. It’s therefore no surprise that the number of accidents during the winter months is significant. To reduce your chances of getting into an accident, here are several ways to prepare your car for winter driving.
1 – Check Your Tires
Your tires are critical to safe driving. As temperatures drop, the amount of air needed in your tires will change. It’s therefore important to check your tire pressure. Don’t forget to also check the tread. Worn down tires cannot grip road surfaces properly, leading to more spinouts. Lastly, make sure you have the correct tires on. Winter or all-weather tires are more suitable for driving in the snow.
2 – Replace Wiper Blades
Wiper blades wear down over time, especially when used frequently in rain or snow conditions. During the winter, you’ll need to replace them more frequently than at other times of year. Otherwise, the edges become rough and won’t clean your windshield as well and reduced visibility leads to more accidents.
3 – Clean Your Windshield
Shorter daylight hours means you’re driving more often in the dark as you travel to and from work. Any smudges or streaks on the interior of your windshield become much more visible at night, as you encounter glare from other vehicles’ headlights. Nighttime driving is already challenging enough without additional obstructions to what you can see on the road, so take the time to clean your windshield from the inside.
4 – Top Off Windshield Washer Fluid
Check your windshield washer fluid frequently, and fill the tank as needed. Winter driving requires a lot of washer fluid. An empty tank may result in a very dirty windshield. That reduces visibility and leads to more accidents!
Additional Ways to Prepare Your Car for Winter Driving
As you can see from the above list, taking care of your windshield is among the most important ways to prepare your car for winter driving. It accounts for 3 of the 4 tips above. Beyond that and your tires, it’s also a good idea to keep an emergency kit in your car and a tank full of gas. Also, be sure to adjust how you drive during the winter. With slippery roads, any extra precautions you can take will be well worth it. We wish you safe driving this winter!
