In an earlier post, I advised you to prepare your car for winter weather by taking it in for a pre-winter check-up. But winter can be a grueling time for your car, especially if you live in an area with heavy snow storms or severe winter weather. And all those times you’ve driven through slush can take a toll on your car’s health.
Road salt, commonly found on city streets to make driving safer, can erode your car’s paint and cause damage to the bottom of your car if it’s not cleaned off properly. Your car’s engine also works harder during the winter, so if it’s not in tip-top shape, you may encounter problems. These are two of the many problems that can occur during the winter.
So during winter weather, don’t be stranded on the road – be aware of any changes in your car’s performance and be on the lookout for any signs of car trouble. And if even if it’s a minor problem that you’ve had before, it’s better to be safe and bring your car to your local mechanic.
Here are four warning signs that you should not ignore:
1. Your Brakes are Squealing
During the winter, your brakes are crucial to prevent skidding on slippery roads and noisy brakes can be an indication of a dangerous problem like worn out brake pads.
2. Your windshield washer fluid is running low
Clean windows are even more important during the winter, when your visibility is already reduced by snow and fog. If you see your fluids are running low, fill them up immediately with a de-icer. These products will not only clear your windows of ice and frost, they also help prevent re-freezing
3. Fuel-level Warning Light
If you’ve ever driven with your gas-tank warning light illuminated, you probably know that you can still go a few more miles before you absolutely have to fill your tank again. But during the winter, procrastinating can be extremely dangerous. You never know if or when you might be on the road for longer than expected, and you don’t want to be stranded in a cold car without any gas. And if that isn’t enough to get you to fill up your tank sooner, consider the hefty bill you’ll have to pay to have your car towed to a gas station, not to mention all the time wasted.
4. Weak or Old Batteries
Your car’s battery goes through a lot, especially during the winter. Because batteries tend to deteriorate more quickly during the winter, you should never drive on a low battery or you may ended up with a car that won’t start. And if your battery is in good condition, you should look out for corrosion which can appear as white, crusty residue around your battery post.
{ 1 trackback }
{ 0 comments… add one now }