It is that time of year ladies and gentleman. Whether you’re a big winter fan, or despise the cold all together, Winter is here. Well for most of us, depending where you live of course, but it seems as if almost every state has been hit with the cold this year. Global warming, where are you?? Just kidding, but in all seriousness driving in this weather is something that many of us have to do, and it’s not a laughing matter.
Here at Show Finish, we believe that safety is the number one priority when it comes to anything automotive. Whether it’s driving, cleaning your car, working on it to make it prettier/faster/louder, we urge everyone to be sure to do so in a safe manner. In this post, we want to go over some things you can do to help counter act some of the winter weather that you may experience depending on where you are located.
Tires
As we have mentioned before, tires are one of the most important aspects of your car or truck when it comes to safety. Of all the safety features that your car provides, the tires are the only part of the car that actually make contact with the ground, so you’ll certainly want those to be in the best condition possible. When the temperatures drop, the air pressure in the tires also drop. Science. With this happening, you’re going to want to check the tire pressure once a week, or at the very least once every two weeks. Many modern cars have tire pressure sensors on the rims, so does this for you which is nice and easy! If your car doesn’t have a sensor on them, you’ll need an air pressure gauge (which is only a few bucks), and you insert it and read the numbers. On the side of each tire it’ll have a range of tire PSI shown, which is where you’ll want to make sure the air pressure is at.
By keeping your tires inflated, it not only keeps your gas mileage up, but improves traction and prevents flats. If the tire pressure is low, and you don’t have an air condenser to fill them back up, you can go to any gas station and use the air pumps they have there. Many have gauges built into them as well, so if you don’t have a tire gauge at home, you can also use one of theirs to see what’s in the tire. Once your tires are within the recommended pressure range, you will be good to go without worry!
A Clean Windshield
I think this goes without saying why it is important. When the cold weather comes, that means snow and ice come with it. When those fun driving hazards come, it likes to stick to wiper blades and windshields. Aside from that, salt is usually the first measure thrown on the roads to help prevent ice and snow buildup. Great for clearing the roads, not so great for your visibility when it gets on your windshield. The worst part is when the snow melts and mixes with the ice that splashes on your car, or is coated all over the sides/windows. Aside from making your car look super dirty, it poses a serious safety risk if you can’t see clearly out your windshield and windows. To combat this, you’ll want to make sure you have plenty of windshield washer fluid in your car, and some microfiber towels readily available as sometimes it can be brushed right off. We recommend a de-icer fluid, as it can handle temperatures to -20 degrees without freezing. And as far as the towels, well obviously you’ll want the best around which are any of Show Finish microfiber products! When you have the right supplies, it’s easy to keep your windshield clean and your vision clear.
Weight In The Trunk
The vast majority of cars are front wheel drive, so you’ll want to weigh down the back of the car to help give traction on those snowy days. For those of you who have driven in the snow, it is quite the adventure. A little too much gas, or taking a turn too fast, and you’ve lost all control. Keeping extra weight in the trunk helps keep the tires on the ground and helps grip. We suggest throwing in a large bag of snow melting salt or sand. This is dual purpose. One it obviously adds weight to the back, but also works as help if you ever need it. Unfortunately, no matter how much you prepare sometimes things happen. If you ever get stuck on a patch of ice, or lose control of the car and go into an area that is filled with much deeper snow, the salt or sand will be a nice tool to have. By sprinkling it right by the tires, it will not only melt the snow or ice you are stuck in, but also adds a level of traction for your car to grip.
As I’m sure you can tell by now, the cold weather changes the roads and your car’s handling, which makes driving that much more of an event to be prepared for. With these little tips, it should make some of the hazards less of a nuisance and provide you with safe passage to wherever it is you’re going. Just make sure that you combine these tips with safe winter driving techniques and always know the limits of your vehicle and driving ability. Obviously, it would be recommended to avoid driving anywhere under these conditions, but sometimes you don’t have a choice. Particularly anyone who has a job that makes them report to work. The good news is that it’s already February, so only a couple more months of this weather and then we are back to sunny warm days where the biggest concern is making time to clean the car, rather than safe guarding it against freezing temperatures! We’d love to hear from people who deal with real winters, as I’m sure many see New Jersey winter’s the same way we look at Atlanta winters where an inch of snow shuts down the city! From everyone here at Show Finish, we hope you stay safe out there, and if you have any additional tips/advice, or want to fill us in on what a real winter is like, feel free to comment below!