Winterizing your car offers peace of mind
With a string of warm days on the horizon, now may be the best time to winterize your car before another cold spell grips New England. While nobody expects to be stranded on a road in the middle of winter, OceanPoint Insurance urges motorists to be prepared in the event of an emergency so that their passengers and family can arrive at their destination safely.
In order to help your friends and family wait out the cold comfortably if your car breaks down, consider the following tips below:
Make an emergency kit
Any vehicle is prone to a breakdown in the winter, regardless of the make, model, and year of a car. If you or your passengers have to bunker down, every car should carry the following items: blankets, boots, water, flares, flashlights, engine coolant, washer fluid, engine oil, small shovel and a snow brush.
Your car should be mechanic checked
A stop at your service center can quickly determine whether you should swap out your current battery, which typically drains quicker during the winter months. If you notice that it is difficult to start on cold mornings do not put this off. While you are there, you may also discover that you need an oil change or need to make fixes on heating or cooling systems.
Fill up the tank
Frozen fuel lines are one of the hassles of winter that prevent an engine from turning on. A simple solution is to have your gas tank filled to the halfway mark at the very least.
Ready up the winter tires
Many drivers swear that winter tires offer better traction, and their observations are backed by science. Winter tires are not made of the same material as all-season tires, and the tread on winter tires are specifically designed to provide better traction on mushy, slick roads. If you are comfortable driving with all-season tires, a mechanic can still change your brake pads if needed or alert you to worn tire treads.
Make visibility a priority
Many people may not know that there are windshield treatments available that make it easier to clear snow, rain, or dirt off the windshield. Visibility is an important component to automotive safety because the inability to see what is on the road is a leading contributor to accidents and injuries. Other ways to maintain visibility during the winter months is to ensure your wiper blades are in good condition, and that your windshield washer fluid is filled to the max and is of the winter solution variety. In addition, consider replacing any cracked windshields because the winter weather tends to exacerbate any preexisting abnormalities.
OceanPoint Insurance agents are available year-round to help you with all of your insurance needs.
