Although the winter has its fun, like the holiday festivities and the cozy sweaters, winter driving is not one of them. Winter driving can be unpleasant and highly hazardous if you're not prepared with proper car maintenance and the right tires. There are three major problems drivers often have to face during the winter: foggy windows, difficulty starting their car, and icy tires on snow-covered roads.
Foggy Windows
When you combine humidity and an extreme temperature difference from outside and inside your car, condensation will cling onto your glass surfaces. Thankfully, there are a few things you can do to clear up your view. Here's the order of steps to follow to defog your windows:
- Turn up the heater to its highest setting. The heat will absorb the moisture.
- Then, turn on the vehicle's AC to dry out the air inside the cabin.
- Make sure the recirculation is switched off.
- Crack your windows.
Rough Starts/Dead Car Battery
A car battery does not perform well in extremely hot or cold temperatures. During the colder months, a fully-functioning battery won't freeze until -76°F, but a weak or broken one can start freezing as much as 32°F. The last thing you want to deal with during the holidays is a depleted battery. Some helpful practices to keep your battery running are to remember to turn off all accessories and to check your battery for signs of corrosion regularly.
To ensure you don't end up stranded this winter, we invite you to Mazur's Total Automotive for a battery test. We'll get you a replacement if needed.
Spinning Tires
Tire traction is tough to come by in the wintertime. Traction is a form of friction that keeps your car connected to the road. Softly compressed snow and ice make it more challenging for your tires to grip the road surface. If your tires are spinning in these conditions, try these tricks to get you running again:
- Drive slower. Slower movements can help your tires grip the snow better.
- Add a car mat or a blanket under the edge of your power wheels.
In the end, you may want to replace your regular tires with winter tires. Winter tires have more pronounced treads to help you grip snowy and icy roads. It's a worthwhile investment in the long run.
As temperatures continue to fall, you should prepare your car for the fall and winter challenges. We invite you and your vehicle to Mazur's Total Automotive. You can schedule an appointment with our team online today!