How to Prepare Your Car for Tough Winter Driving

If you are lucky enough to live in a climate where it’s warm all year round than excellent! For the majority of the country, we are not so fortunate and must learn to deal with the hazards of winter driving. Like us in Breckenridge, most of you know how hazardous winter driving can be. But, for those of you that don’t know, this typically includes freezing rain, blowing snow, snow packed roads, icy roads, snow plows and slow moving traffic, to say the least, and none of them pleasant. Knowing how to prepare your car for tough winter driving will allow you to slide around all of these potential obstacles. 

Tune It Up

In order for you to successfully navigate through winter hazards, it is imperative that your equipment is in tip top shape! This means performing the regularly scheduled maintenance, such as:

• oil changes                                                                                                                                                                  

• transmission fluid flushes                        

• coolant/anti-freeze system flushes

• tire rotations

In addition to these tasks, there are certain winter specific steps that need to be taken that will give your vehicle an advantage over the unprepared drivers on the road around you. Some suggestions are as follows:

• Tires

  • Depending on how treacherous the roads in your neck of the woods can get, you may need to have all terrain, studded tires or even have a set of tire chains in your trunk.

  • The change of seasons often causes the pressure in your tires to fluctuate so make sure your tire’s pressure is where it is supposed to be.

• Other things to check on your vehicle:

  • Windshield

    • Get chips repaired and if cracked, get your windshield replaced. 

  • Wiper Blades

    • Make sure you wiper blades ensure clear visibility and aren’t broken or damaged.

  • Ice Scraper/Snow Brush

    • Getting the snow off of your vehicle can be challenging, so be sure to have an adequate brush and scraper on hand to help you.

  • Sand Bags

    • If you’re driving a pickup truck or rear wheel drive vehicle, sand bags allow for better traction by adding weight to the rear axle. They also provide you with a grippy surface when spread over ice or snow pack.

These suggestions don’t come close to covering every aspect of preparing your car for tough winter driving, but they will surely help you to avoid some unnecessary inconveniences and from getting stuck out in the cold. Don’t forget, your local mountain shuttle team is here to answer any other questions you may have.