Tips for Maintaining Your Car in Snowy Conditions

Tips for Maintaining Your Car in Snowy Conditions
(NewsUSA) - When the weather outside is frightful, the road is the last place you want to be, especially if your car hasn't been prepared to deal with snowy conditions. Snow and ice covering the roadways can pose a serious threat to you and your vehicle.

There is no time like the present to get yourself and your car ready for winter driving. Firestone Complete Auto Care offers the following tips to get you on your way:

Slow down

* Reduce your speed during adverse driving conditions, and be prepared for longer stopping distances on snowy or icy pavement. Try to avoid abrupt movements when braking, accelerating or turning.

Tires are the key

* A tire's PSI (pounds per square inch) can drop one pound for every 10-degree drop in temperature. Both under- and over-inflation lessens a tire's gripping action. Once it gets cold, tire pressure should be checked weekly. Don't forget to check your spare tire, too.

* If snow and ice are a problem in your area, consider installing winter tires, which are specially designed to grip slick roads. Snow tires should be installed on all four wheels; using two different types of tires on the same vehicle can cause handling problems.

Be seen

* Always use headlights at dawn and dusk, or while driving in fog, rain and snow, to warn other drivers you are there. If you can't see them, they can't see you! Don't forget to activate your flashers when appropriate.

* Take a few moments to check your wipers -- they don't last forever. If the rubber feels rough or seems cracked, replace the wiper blades. Older wiper blades can cause windows to become dangerously dirty, especially at night or in snowy conditions when there is likely to be salt on the road. Good visibility is a necessity.

No matter the time of year, it is important to take the appropriate measures to ensure that your vehicle is well maintained. However, during winter, when the roads and conditions are particularly unpredictable, proper maintenance is essential for keeping your car prepared for anything the season delivers.

More Resources


03/27/2024
Ally Financial appoints new CEO

Michael Rhodes will be taking over Ally Financial Inc. as CEO effective April 29, replacing former CEO Jeffrey Brown, who stepped down at the end of January 2024 to take a role as president of Hendrick Automotive Group.



more info


03/27/2024
Volkwagen's ID7 EV will come in just two trims for U.S.

Volkswagen's second EV offering for the U.S. market, the ID7, is set to arrive in the third quarter.



more info


03/27/2024
Hyundai didn't coerce former dealership to build standalone Genesis facility, Wisc. jury says

Hyundai Motor America didn't wrongfully coerce or attempt to coerce one of its former dealerships to provide an exclusive facility for its Genesis franchise, a federal jury in Wisconsin has found.



more info


03/27/2024
Audi freshens Q7 crossover for 2025

Audi's second-best seller in the U.S. has a slightly tweaked exterior.



more info


03/27/2024
Kia Forte rebadged K4 in fourth-gen redesign

The fourth generation of Kia's popular compact sedan gets a sportier new look, technology upgrades and two GT-Line variants.



more info


03/27/2024
2025 Hyundai Tucson, Santa Cruz get big, bold updates

Freshened versions of the Hyundai Tucson and Santa Cruz include exterior and interior styling enhancements, new tech and enhancements to both lines' XRT trims.



more info


03/27/2024
Piston Automotive wins $8.5M state grant for plant to supply GM in suburban Detroit

The project marks a return to former stomping grounds for company owner Vinnie Johnson, a two-time NBA champ nicknamed “the Microwave” during his Detroit Pistons heyday.



more info


03/27/2024
Credit unions plan to grow auto dealership relationships in 2024

Most credit unions expected to work more closely with car dealerships in 2024, and nearly all of them think such collaboration aids members, according to a Credit Union Leasing of America survey of that auto lending sector.



more info


03/27/2024
Subaru recalls nearly 119,000 vehicles in U.S. over airbag defect

Subaru of America is recalling nearly 119,000 midsize crossovers and sedans in the U.S. for an issue that could prevent airbags from deploying in a crash.

 



more info


03/27/2024
Survey: Dealerships lukewarm about EV service overall but see potential for increased retention, revenue

Nearly half of dealership executives and fixed ops leaders aren't overly enthused about integrating EV service into their shops. They're also not overwhelmingly positive about the overall future of EV service.



more info




More Automobile Information:

Related Articles

Get Your Car In Shape For Summer


The days are longer, the sun is stronger and beach season is almost here, but getting in shape for summer means more than hitting the gym. It is also important to keep your car in tip-top shape before you get on the highway for an early summer getaway.


Weather April Showers by Properly Preparing Your Vehicle


While it may be true that April showers bring May flowers, rain also creates wet roads and low driving visibility. To better weather the spring storms, Tires Plus recommends the following:


Deciphering Your Car's "Check Engine" Light


Many drivers don't know what the "check engine" or "service engine soon" warning light on the instrument panel really means. Understanding the purpose of this light, and knowing what actions to take when it comes on, can help you nip problems in the bud -- and possibly prevent major damage.


Earth-Friendly Tips for Motorists


Some day, hydrogen-powered vehicles may be commonplace, but in the meantime, motorists who want to go "green" don't have to change vehicles to help the environment.


Are You Replacing Your Air Filter Too Often?


For years, experts including the Environmental Protection Agency told motorists to change their car's engine air filter frequently for maximum fuel economy


Spring is the Season for Auto Care


After a season of winter driving, a springtime check-up for your car might be in order. Most anyone can do routine automotive housekeeping chores: Remove unneeded winter gear from your trunk, clean out trash and clutter, and wash and wax your car to remove accumulated grime and salt deposits.


Motorists: Disregarding Auto Repairs Is Dangerous


The power of the dollar doesn't stretch as far as it once did. And it has prompted some motorists to cut back on maintenance or put off needed vehicle repairs due to tight budgets, especially if the vehicle remains drivable. But, delaying certain repairs can be a dangerous gamble for motorists.


iPhone Comes Closer to Driving Your Car


In the olden days, people used maps for directions and yellow pages to find restaurants, and they didn't often use their phones as lightsabers


Are You Prepared for a Roadside Emergency?


You drive safely and follow your vehicle's maintenance schedule, but that doesn't mean you'll never find trouble on the road. But with a little preparation, you can handle almost any roadside breakdown.


Winter Pledge: Clearing Garage Floors Gets Cars Indoors


When a chill is in the air and clutter is in the garage, your car is often forced out in the cold.


Americans Support Banning Cell Phones in Cars


Americans have been driving cars and using telephones for about a century. But it's only been in the past five or 10 years that we've been combining these two activities. and we're finding out that it's a dangerous mix.


A New Year's Resolution For Your Car


Getting more organized is a common New Year's Resolution -- whether it's a harried taxpayer's pledge to be a better record keeper or a pack rat's promise to de-clutter. "Getting organized works wonders for the family car," notes Martin Lawson, editorial director for the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE).


New LED Worklight Offers Greater Versatility


There's a leak in your plumbing, and you need to fix it. So you fumble under the sink, trying to hold a flashlight in one hand and a tool in another. You need both hands free, so you put the flashlight down. It promptly rolls, leaving you unable to see what you're doing.


Don't Let Holiday Pressure Get to Your Tires


The holidays are hectic. Working, attending family parties, overindulging on holiday goodies and shopping for that perfect gift can be stressful. Although the holidays are busy, they're not the time to forget about regular tire maintenance.


A Winter Checklist For Drivers


As the temperature drops, car batteries produce less power, belts and hoses become more brittle, tires lose air pressure and engine oil thickens. In a few words, winter is tough on vehicles.