For drivers, there’s little more important than winter vehicle safety. Winter weather poses unique challenges to a car’s condition, including ice, snow, and freezing cold roads. These challenges are especially pronounced in Canada, which is why Canadian drivers must be especially vigilant with winter vehicle maintenance and safe driving methods. To keep their vehicles and travel as safe as possible during the winter, there are many tips and strategies drivers can follow. A few of these tips and strategies can be found below.
Properly Maintain the Tires
Drops in temperature mean drops in tire pressure. And the lower the pressure in your tires, the lower their performance. Low performing tires pose a grave risk to vehicle safety, as they can reduce handling, vehicle response, and the general drivability of a vehicle. During the winter, your tires should always be inflated to their recommended pressure and checked for pressure changes at least once a month. To find the correct pressure level for your tires, consult your vehicle’s manual or check the tag on your driver-side door. Changing to winter or snow tires is also a major component of winter vehicle safety. Snow or winter tires offer greater tread depth and grip. And in many cases, they’re the only way to navigate icy, snowy road conditions. To have your tires switched to winter or snow tires or for assistance with tire pressure, visit one of the best tire shops Sherwood Park has to offer, like Computerized Auto Pro.Check the Battery
Cold weather causes engine oil to thicken, and the thicker the oil, the more power the engine needs. This power comes from your vehicle’s battery. To ensure you engine and car receives the power it needs during the winter, make sure the battery can perform at an optimal level. Batteries that perform at an optimal level usually have an almost full cell and are less than three years old. A battery that is more than three years old likely won’t be capable of powering your vehicle’s engine through the winter. To check that your battery is less than three years old and ensure it performs at an optimal level, consult an expert mechanic, like those at our shop.Update the Safety Technology
Unfortunately, older cars don’t come with the safety technology of today’s vehicles. However, this technology or safety features are important for safely navigating winter weather conditions. Important features to have, include:- Anti-lock braking
- Stability control
- Electronic tracking
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