Is Your Car Ready for Illinois Winters?
It is never too early in the year to start checking your vehicle to see if it is ready for the harsh winter conditions that strike the state of Illinois. This is important reading for anyone who is a newly licensed driver, elderly, or a newcomer to the area looking for an auto repair shop Springfield IL. It also never hurts for more experienced drivers to read up on some of the hazards that could be lurking in their vehicle either.
Ask your local auto technician or mechanic at Eurosport what they would recommend preparing a vehicle for winter conditions. They are likely to reply that an automobile should be in tip-top condition all year round, not just the snow-bound months.
When it comes to the importance of your safety and comfort and that of your passengers, reading these pointers on preventative maintenance can be helpful.
Regular Maintenance Checks
You can do some checks, like oil and water levels, at home, but some will need the help of an automobile repair shop. Remember that it is always less expensive to regularly maintain a vehicle with a visit to your local ASE-certified (Automotive Service Excellence) professionals than it is to wait until breakdowns happen.
If your car struggles to start, hiccups when it is idling, or has a less than smooth engine sound, these problems will only become more pronounced in winter conditions. Handing your car over to a professional to have the glitches fixed will save you having to decipher the manufacturer’s manual and make a judgment on your own.
Emergency Break-Down Kit
Prepare an emergency kit for your vehicle and keep it stocked all year round. Some of the essential items for your winter emergency kit are:
- Waterproof gloves and boots. If you encounter water in sub-zero weather conditions and it spills onto your gloves or boots, you’ll be in for a rough time. Remember to pack an extra pair of each if you are traveling in winter with a passenger.
- Blankets are a necessity if your vehicle breaks down in the snow in a remote area.
- Signal flares and luminous hazard sticks. It can get dark very quickly in winter, so protect yourself and your passengers from passing traffic by sparking a flare. A flashlight with extra batteries is also a necessity during a breakdown in winter or any nighttime conditions.
- A bag of grit or sand will give your tires grip to get out of slippery situations.
- Don’t forget to carry a car charger for your cell phone.
- Non-perishable snacks and bottled water. Remember to replenish them if they get eaten for pleasure.
- An ice scraper. Don’t scrimp on cost here because a cheap, flimsy ice scraper is not worth it in the end.
Tire Safety & Snow Tires
Bald tires are dangerous, and this hazard becomes even more pronounced in snowy weather. The checklist for good tire condition is quick and easy. The depth of the tread should be able to pass the “Lincoln’s Head” test. Insert a penny into the tire groove and if all of Lincoln’s head can be seen, your tires need replacement. Be sure to ask for a professional’s opinion if you feel you cannot gauge them for yourself.
Test the pressure of your tires – including the spare – once a month. Wheels out of alignment and soft tires will chew up gas as well as being more prone to punctures and blow-outs. An indication of these problems is uneven wear and tear on the tire surface.
A good tip when budgeting for snow tires in the winter months is to book an appointment to have them put on before the snow starts. This way, you will have your booking in place before the winter rush begins.
Cooling System Winter Protection
Your car’s cooling system is an integral part of the whole vehicle’s functionality. You’re more likely to overlook it because it is hidden away under the hood. It should be refilled and flushed out according to the manufacturer’s recommendation and anti-freeze/coolant added in winter. If you are keen to try doing this yourself at home, remember to wear protective gloves and wait until the engine has completely cooled before screwing off the radiator cap.
Battery Maintenance
The average car owner does not have a battery strength tester at home. This is an expensive but vital piece of equipment that can gauge battery strength and charge. If your car battery is old or you are unsure of its age, head on down to your nearest auto-repair specialists and have it checked before winter. Battery acid is a dangerous corrosive, so never attempt first-time battery maintenance at home.
Other Vital Car-Readiness Checks Before the Illinois Winter
Make sure your brakes are fully functional. If they feel mushy or loose, head over to a professional for a check-up immediately. At the same time, your mechanic can perform a routine transmission check that will save you from a costly transmission seizure further down the line.
Any routine maintenance visit to a qualified car repair shop will include a test of your vehicle’s flashers, car lights, bulbs, and any other car basics that may lower its visibility in harsh winter conditions.
Professionals will know how to prepare your wiper blades for the onslaught of ice and snow that they will battle in winter. Swapping them out for rubber-clad ones and putting a solvent into your windshield water dispenser is part of the winter preparation a professional remembers to do.
While in the shop, ask for your heater, air circulator, and defrosting mechanisms to receive a thorough testing. A driver’s clear vision in winter is as important as their car’s visibility to other drivers.
These are the main checkpoints for any driver, young and old. Knowing that there is a friendly auto-repair professional that can keep you from overlooking any necessary preparation for the winter months is a comfort. Be sure to take full advantage of their years of expertise.
If this is your first time encountering an Illinois winter, make sure you are fully prepared, know your route, and drive carefully and slowly to reach your destination safely.
