Winter is coming, and with it comes concerns about wear, tear, and safety. Not only do the freezing temperatures and vicious weather put you at risk, but they can also do serious damage to your car or truck. Even if you aren’t in an accident, you may face expensive repair bills if you don’t take some time to prepare. You’ll need to consider everything from basic hardware like lug nuts to tires and chains. We’ve put together a few helpful hints to make sure you’re ready to winterize your car before the polar vortex strikes again.
Automotive Check-Up
The first thing on any winterization list should be a general check-up
for your car or truck. Make sure fluid levels are where they should be,
especially antifreeze and steering fluid. If at all possible, raise your car
and check for leaks or breaks along the undercarriage. Check for loose
hardware, especially lug nuts, as your tires will face additional stress once
winter weather hits. Regular freezing and thawing over the late autumn can
loosen hardware, so even if you’ve recently checked your vehicle, go over
things like lug nuts, and steering linkage again after major thaw cycles.
Be sure tires can handle the snow. If you live in the country where
roads are rarely plowed, you should consider wrapping chains around your tires
for extra grip. It’s a good idea to keep chains handy in your trunk, in case of
sudden snow or an accident that sends you into a ditch. Even if bystanders want
to help, they will need something to link their car to yours. It’s always best
to be prepared, especially when stranding can mean hypothermia.
Plan
Ahead for Wheel Adapters and Lug Nuts
Old cars are great, but they can’t all support the kinds of tires your
car will need to make it safely over icy roads. Always err on the side of
caution and choose the safest wheels for the season. Remember, even if winter-friendly
wheels and their adapters don’t look perfect on your vintage car, they help
make sure it’s still in one piece when spring and the car show season arrive.
Wheel adapters allow just about any type of wheel to go on nearly any car or
truck. Because trucks and SUVs are more popular for rural residents, they often
have the greatest range of available adapters at local parts shops and
automotive stores. While everyone should plan ahead bad weather, those with
specialized vehicles should plan to get adapters before they need them. They
may need to special order them or buy them online.
Winter makes driving a greater challenge, but careful winterization
ensures your vehicle doesn’t turn into a hazard. A regular check-up can catch
serious issues before the weather and rough driving conditions jeopardize them
further, and secondary checks after freeze and thaw cycles helps you keep ahead
of ice damage to joints and links. Last, but not least, make sure you have the
right wheels for the job. Be sure to plan ahead, not just for tires, but also
adapters and additional lug nuts to fit the best tires to your vehicle.
