There are issues that winter brings with it, several of which are capable of wearing down your car faster than intended. While it isn’t realistic to completely mitigate the effects of winter, decreasing the results with some preparations is still possible. If you wish to keep their car in good condition, these are some precautions to consider for your car in cold weather.
Check Tire Pressure
The cold air of the fall and winter season affects the pressure within your tires by condensing the air inside. Typically, for every 10 degrees lower than 50 degrees Fahrenheit, your tires lose about 1 PSI. So as the temperature decreases during these times, you should check your tire pressure regularly so that you immediately know when it gets too low. Low tire pressure results in faster damage to the tire and a chance of the tires detaching mid-drive.
Change Your Brake Pads
Keeping your brakes in check is crucial when driving in the winter. However, just like other parts of your car, they endure certain strains from the colder weather. Understanding the difference between semi-metallic and ceramic brake pads is a game changer. Certain materials tend to tolerate lower temperatures more easily than others. The less you worry about your brakes during this time, the better.
Wax Your Undercarriage
As winter approaches, you should expect there to be plenty of salt on the roads to help keep them safe. While the salt is good for creating suitable driving conditions, it harms your car. Specifically, it can hurt the undercarriage. Therefore, it’s best to apply an undercoat of wax there to help protect it from any salt that attaches to it. This prevents the salt from corroding any metals it comes into contact with. You don’t see too many sports cars out in the cold, and it isn’t because they went somewhere warmer. Winter is a rough time for cars; taking extra care to maintain them and prepare them for the harsh conditions is important. These precautions to consider for your car in cold weather are well worth the effort when your goal is to keep your vehicle for as long as possible.
