You know, winter is here … so many vehicle concerns come with the season!
We don’t own brand new vehicles, so we make sure there are some steps taken to give us peace of mind and a safe drive, no matter what the season brings! If you’ve just bought a new or a used car, it is incredibly important to give it a check no matter what as you never know what could come up during these months. Unfortunately, during this time people may buy cars quickly as they are in desperate need and have to get on the road to work, school, etc. because of this, they may find that they’ve bought a lemon (the worst fear) and they need to get help. This is the time to file a lemon law claim and get the legal assistance you need. This is included in the tips for a safe winter as breaking down in the snow, because of your car, is dangerous so you’ll need to be vigilant about what you are buying.
In the fall, I partnered with Cooper Tires to experience a new set of tires and share how we have been able to increase our vehicle’s life and enjoy our ride longer, just by following some basic safety steps:
Tires
It’s important to check your tires and make sure they are in good condition so you can say: “bring it on” to winter!
Worn tires are dangerous in winter weather.
Examine tires for remaining tread life, uneven wearing, and cupping; check the sidewalls for cuts and nicks. Check tire pressure once a month, letting the tires “cool down” before checking the pressure. Rotate as recommended. Don’t forget to check your spare, and be sure the jack is in good working condition. Under-inflated tires or poorly aligned wheels make your engine work harder and thus use excess gasoline.
At Cooper, they understand that the four tires on your vehicle are what keep you connected to the road, playing a crucial role in how your vehicle handles, and keeping you safe on your travels. As an American company since 1914, their focus is on making quality tires that will perform well and last for thousands of miles. With more than a century in the tire industry, they know that tires matter and that is why you should count on Cooper .
A new set of tires is an amazing way to keep your car performing well!
Cooper Tires gave us that new car feel and the performance we had lost with our old tires! Such a huge difference!
Here is how you check to see if you need new tires:
Take a penny (coin) and place it in the tread of the tire with the head of Abraham Lincoln facing down. If you can see the top of Lincoln’s head, it’s time to replace your tires!
Even if your vehicle passes the test, you should make sure your tires are season friendly.
Depending on the set you have, you might need winter tires!
After all, you want tires built to last!
Oil Change
It’s important to make sure that you respect the mileage written by the place where you last changed your oil and change it, when needed. That will ensure your vehicle’s life is extended.
Vehicle Check up
We normally have the vehicle serviced even if there’s no light on. For us, it’s about preventing things before they happen! So why wait, when you can do it now before the next snowstorm falls. It is also important to make sure that, if you need to, you have spare car parts handy so you are prepared for any eventuality. You can buy car parts online or check in with your mechanic on which would be best to have on hand.
Filter Replacement
They fall under the same rules as the oil change, they need to be replaced every season, we normally replace them when we change the oil.
Get engine performance and drive-ability problems fixed
Hard starts, rough idling, stalling and diminished power should be corrected at a reputable repair shop or your brand dealer. Cold weather makes existing problems worse! Also, if you happen to have any dents or damages on the car exteriors, then you might want to the vehicle to Experienced Panelbeater Specialists at the earliest possible time.
Further, you should ensure that your car’s battery is in good shape; you don’t want to be stuck out in the snow with a car that won’t turn on! It may be a good idea to keep the contact of a trusted professional who can provide car battery replacement assistance if you ever face this situation, however, getting it checked and replaced (if needed) beforehand could also be a good option to avoid any hassles.
The cooling system should be flushed and refilled as recommended.
The level, condition, and concentration of the coolant should be checked periodically. A 50/50 mix of antifreeze and water is usually recommended!
The tightness and condition of drive belts, clamps, and hoses also should be checked regularly by a professional technician.
Have your brakes checked periodically
For safety reasons and to prevent costly repairs that can be caused by neglecting to do it, have your brakes checked. You don’t want to see yourself on a snowy hill and suddenly find out that they fail, right?
The transmission is often neglected
Routine checks and fluid changes at prescribed intervals can prevent very costly repairs later on.
Always carry an emergency kit
Things like extra gloves, boots, blankets and flares; a small shovel and sand or kitty litter; tire chains; a flashlight and extra batteries; and a cell phone and extra car charger. Put a few “high-energy” snacks and cereal bars in your glove box.
These are some of the steps we take to ensure safe driving in the winter!
Can’t wait to hear what you think, as usual, give us a Trendy Shout!
Tires are SO important for driving safety – especially in winter. It’s so easy to put off replacing them when they are worn … but that’s so dangerous!
Great tips. I wish people here would check their tires more often and replace them when needed. I also wish they’d use snow tires in the winter. Most of the cars going off into ditches in the winter around here seem to be either worn tires or using “all seasons” in the snow and ice.
My boyfriend is always harping on me to get maintenance done! I do it – but he’s my constant reminder on when and what!
These are all great tips! It’s not much different for us to drive in Winter, but we can still make sure our cars are in great shape.
OMG I love that penny trick to see the tread of your tires. I didnt think to use that method and now I will!
These are good to know. I try to stay on top of the tires because worn tires are so dangerous.
These are really helpful tips! Tires are really important!
Tires are so important and I need new front tires right now! Thanks for the reminder!
It is really dangerous to drive during Winter. such a great guide for us. I am spending half of my day driving and this is what I really need.
Now I need to check my tires! I think they need to be changed. This is timely as we’re getting another winter storm this week 🙁
It’s really important to be able to prepare for the weather during winter especially since the roads can be dangerous due to the snow and the ice. I think these are great tips!
The correct tires are so important for our vehicles. They can make all the difference in the world even with mpg and especially for safety.
These are great tips for staying safe in the winter. Living in Michigan, I really need to make sure I remember these things.
These are all great tips on staying safe while driving in the winter! Driving in winter weather scares me so I always triple check my tires before it sets in the other night!
Having good tires is sooo important…especially if you live in an area of the country that has winter! My tires are still good but I need to get them rotated!!
These are good tips for traveling in the winter. It’s so important to keep an emergency kit in the car.
A great list of tips. Living in MN our winter is very much WINTER. Tires make all the difference.
My dad taught me the “penny” test when I was a teenager! We have had a mild winter so far, but I like to be ready because the weather in Kansas is unpredictable.
I am blessed because my husband can do these things at home. We just got new tires too which is a relief.
Great tips! There is nothing worse than the accidents during the winter. Always good to be prepared and know what to do during these months!
Canadian winters are horrible and throw in that I drive for a living in country roads, Winter tires are a must for me!! I love Cooper tires and have them on my car! Only the best!
For sure! Around here good tires make all the difference! Good tips and new drivers need to be aware too!
What a great trick for checking your tires! I hadn’t heard of that one before. Tires are so important to vehicle safety. They’re my first concern before I get behind the wheel.
I really have to remember this. The roads can get pretty bad here and I need to make sure my tires are in good shape!
These are definitely really good tips. I think the top one is definitely the tires. If the tires are worn down then they are no good on the road.
I loved reading this because I learned so much about the car I use daily. I let my mechanic and husband take care of the bulk of car maintainance so I now I can help too.
Having the right tires and having them in good condition is key during the winter. Your tires are really what keep you on the road.
We live in the southwest now, so winter is pretty much like summer. BUT when we lived in Canada, my husband checked our tires every winter to be sure they were on point.
Tires are key. Absolutely key. You need the right tires to help you keep your wheels on the road. Safety starts with the wheels you have.