Avoiding the Dreaded Winter Breakdown
Winter is here and nothing is worse than experiencing a vehicle breakdown in freezing temperatures. While some breakdowns are inevitable, some are preventable and can be managed by prepping for them in advance and taking a few extra steps to avoid them from happening.
Here are some common vehicle breakdown scenarios and how to avoid them.
Dead Battery – car batteries are more difficult to produce a charge during the colder months. Before winter hits, it is a good idea to test the voltage of your current car battery and make sure it is fully charged. You can have this done at any local auto shop.
Flat or blown out tires – it is always in your best interest to check your tires before winter hits. Checking the tread to make sure they aren’t too worn down will help prevent any breakdowns or roadway accidents. A good rule of thumb to make sure your tread is in good condition is by placing a penny in the center if the tread with Lincoln’s head facing down. If his hair is showing, your tires need replaced due to the tread depth being too low.
Engine Issues – with freezing temperatures, comes freezing radiators. Or other frozen fluids under the hood. Motor oil can also become thicker which prevents it from appropriately circulating throughout the engine causing it to overheat.
The winter months can be a difficult time to travel but with a little preventative maintenance, vehicle breakdowns don’t have to be an issue. If you do experience any sort of breakdown it is best to stay in or near your car and to keep as warm as possible. Keeping snacks, a few bottles of water and an emergency roadside kit in the trunk of your vehicle can also ease the pain of a winter breakdown. Also, check with your car insurance company to see if they have a roadside assistance program available.
https://driving.ca/auto-news/news/heres-how-to-avoid-these-five-common-winter-breakdowns
https://thenewswheel.com/the-most-dangerous-roads-to-avoid-in-the-winter/
