Mid Winter Preparation Tips

Snow on a nearly daily basis is becoming normal, as has driving in it. Your car isn’t even halfway through the winter, and it’s time to re-evaluate its condition for better performance and safety. Here’s a few simple tips from us to keep you safe on the road at all times.

If you’ve been frustrated with your “all-wheel drive”, maybe it’s because you misunderstand its purpose. All while drive will certainly help you when accelerating but, beyond that, you will still encounter issues braking and turning. This is where snow tires help, especially in Utah, where the temperature often falls below 40 degrees. Snow tires remain flexible in cold temperatures, providing better traction and turning on freezing pavement and snow.

There’s nothing worse than being stuck in a blizzard with limited viewing ability. You might not have noticed weakened headlights before the days started to shorten with winter, but you’ll notice the problem now on your commute home. Make sure your headlights are fully functioning and providing you with maximum visuals.

Extreme weather can affect brand new battery, much more a weak or old battery. Car batteries are also tend to function worse in the cold than the heat. Wondering if you car battery isn’t functioning properly?

What do washer fluid, gasoline and oil all have in common? Nothing. But if you run low on any of them you could be in trouble. Make sure your gas is always half full, especially on a longer commute or vacation. Getting stuck in traffic or a snow storm with little gas is bad news. Window washer fluid, specifically fluid for extreme cold temperatures, is a must. Make sure you’re keeping an eye on fluid levels and refill when necessary.

Staying warm and maintaining visibility in all conditions is essential. Check your climate control system and make sure its working properly. If your defroster isn’t working well, make getting it fixed a top priority. It doesn’t matter how much gas or wiper fluid you have if you can’t see out of your windshield.

Since you can never be too careful, it’s a good idea to have a survival kit on hand for the minimum of three days. Be sure to include enough water (1 gallon per person per day) and simple food. Include the previously mentioned blanket, warm clothes, flashlight, matches, a knife, jumper cables and a cellphone charger. Store any necessary medications as well.