All posts tagged winter snow

Winter is the hardest time of the year on cars. Not only are roads often coated in snow or ice, but the salt that is laid down to combat these problems can cause exposed parts of your car to rust. If you want to ensure that your car comes through the coldest part of the year in good condition, there are some basic maintenance steps you need to take. Here are four things you should be doing to take better care of your car in the wintertime.

Put on Snow Tires

The greatest danger to your car during the winter is the possibility of losing traction on snow or ice and running into something. The best way to prevent this from happening is to equip your car with specialized snow tires that will help it grip the road better. Any good tire dealer should have snow tires in all common sizes. Don’t get rid of your summer tires, though, as you can put them back on again in the spring if they’re still in relatively good shape.

Put Something Heavy in the Trunk

Another good way to increase your car’s traction is to put a heavy weight in the trunk. Doing this will increase the downward pressure on the rear axle, making it less likely to slide out on snow or ice. This step is especially important if your car is rear wheel drive. A front wheel drive car will have the weight of the engine positioned over the front axle, keeping it soundly in place. If your car is rear wheel, however, it will have comparatively little normal weight over its drive axle.

Repair All Damage Immediately

If your car does suffer some minor body damage, such as a dent or a significant scratch in the paint, be sure to get it repaired at once. Road salt and moisture will attack bare metal, leading to rust that will then become a much larger problem. Depending on the level of damage, you may have to take it to a professional body shop or a welding repair service. Fixing damage early, though, is well worth it to avoid the future problems it could present.

Wash and Wax Frequently

No matter how careful you are, your car is going to get some salt buildup on its body over the course of a snowy winter. The best step to take to combat this is to have it washed and waxed frequently to remove existing road salt and protect against the effects of new buildup. Ideally, you should take your car through a professional car wash, since the water jets underneath the vehicle will hit areas that would be hard for you to reach otherwise.

Protecting your car during a snowy winter is all about keeping the elements at bay and taking the right precautions. With these tips and a bit of common sense preventative maintenance, you’ll be able to keep your car in great shape through even the worst winters.