Get Your Car Ready for Winter Driving

In most of the US, winter is upon us!  As the temperatures drop it can become more and more dangerous to drive.  According to the Department of Transportation, of the 5.8 million accidents that happen each year, 23% are weather related.  For more information on how weather affects driving safety, check out the DOT’s report on how weather events impact roads.

Making sure your car is ready for the winter is one of the best things you can do to be prepared and avoid having problems this winter.  In this article, we will give you a few things you can do to not only help you steer clear of an accident but also to make sure your car doesn’t break down or leave you stranded.

Here is a list of things to check before the winter weather rolls in:

• The condition of your tires
• The condition of your battery
• Windshield Washer Fluid Level
• An emergency kit
• The condition if your fuel system

The best way to stay out of an accident this winter is to make sure your tires are up to par.  First, make sure you’ve got the right kind of tires.  Performance tires may help your car grip on dry roads but the type of rubber they’re made from will make them next to useless on wet or snowy roads.  All season tires are the lowest grade tire you should consider running in the winter.  Snow tires or studded tires are the safest tire to run if you expect snowy or icy conditions for much of your winter.  To save money and time you, may consider getting an extra set of wheels for your car and mount your snow tires on them.  That way you can quickly change the tires on your car to make sure you’re safe in the winter and can quickly change back to your summer tires in the spring.  If you do have all season or winter tires on your car, make sure you have at least 3/32 of an inch of tread left to properly shed water and snow.

The next most important thing to check on your car this winter is the condition of your battery.  Severe temperature swings can affect the chemical reaction in your battery and lower its output so it may be worth having your battery tested even if your vehicle is starting fine.  Most automotive parts stores will test the condition of your battery free of charge and can give you a percentage of the life left.  In the winter if your battery is operating at less than 70% capacity, you may consider replacing it.

Having a full windshield washer fluid reservoir can make sure that you can see properly all winter long.  Running out of windshield washer fluid can be a very dangerous situation and is easily preventable.  The most cost effective way to make sure your windshield washer fluid reservoir stays full is to use BlueDevil Windshield Washer Concentrate.  For more information check out our product information page here: Windshield Washer Concentrate

It is always smart to make sure you have an emergency kit in your car with you as well.  A well-stocked emergency kit will include a hazard triangle or road flares, a poncho, an emergency blanket, jumper cables and some simple tools.  In an emergency, these items can be the difference between getting home and being stranded.  If your kid includes perishable items like food or flares, make sure they are still within their expiration date.

Lastly, it’s important to make sure your fuel system is well maintained.  As temperatures drop it is possible for fuel to have water introduced or degrade quickly.  Most gas stations will switch to a winter fuel formula that can help keep things clean, but it is important to make sure you go the extra mile to keep your car running.  The two big things you can do is make sure your fuel filter has been changed recently and make sure your fuel injectors are clean.  Using BlueDevil Fuel System Cleaner is the best and easiest way to make sure everything is clean and working properly.  BlueDevil Fuel System Cleaner is specially formulated to clean your fuel injectors and combustion chamber along with the rest of your fuel system to ensure your car runs great all winter long.

For more information about BlueDevil Fuel System Cleaner, visit our product information page here: Fuel System Cleaner

You can also find BlueDevil Fuel System Cleaner at your local auto parts store like:

• AutoZone
• Advance Auto Parts
• Bennett Auto Supply
• CarQuest Auto parts
• NAPA Auto Parts
• O’Reilly Auto Parts
• Pep Boys
• Fast Track
• Bumper to Bumper Auto Parts Specialists
• S&E Quick Lube Distributer
• DYK Automotive

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winter_driving.jpg – By Trendobjects – Licensed by ThinkStock Photos – Original Link