Driving during the frigid winter weather is a much different experience than cruising during the warmer, sunny months. Even though snow and ice sometimes make stretches of the open road a little perilous, keeping some winter car maintenance and driving tips in mind will help you navigate the chilly streets with ease.

What to Keep in Mind During the Winter Driving Season

1.  Drive Slower & Brake Sooner

Slick conditions can make it much harder to stop your vehicle while driving. To help prevent accidents, decrease your speed when traveling on snowy or icy stretches. Braking, too, becomes much more difficult in these conditions. Brake sooner than usual to give yourself ample space to come to a stop. If your vehicle is equipped with antilock brakes, continuous and firm pressure will lead to a smooth stop. If you don’t have antilock brakes, you may need to pump the pedal to prevent them from locking up.

2. Schedule a Maintenance Check

Making an appointment with a car maintenance professional will get your vehicle in top shape for any cold weather to come. The auto shop will do a full check of your car’s systems and fix any issues, such as leaky hoses, worn brakes, or dimming headlights, before they become major problems out on the snowy road.

3. Change to Winter-Proof Fluids

The chilly weather of winter can do much more to your car than simply frost up the windows. Low temperatures can affect your engine’s oil and even sometimes freeze the windshield wiper fluid. To prevent these problems, you may want to switch to specialized cold weather products — freeze-proof wiper fluid and an oil with low-viscosity so that it’s able to flow through the engine with less trouble.

4. Stock Up on Supplies

As soon as the temperature starts to drop, your car should be equipped with a stash of winter supplies. These can include a snow shovel, ice scraper, and broom for easy snow and ice removal and a bag of cat litter for added traction in case you get stuck. You’ll also want to have jumper cables for any engine trouble and a kit with blankets, extra gloves and hats, and water and food.

Ken Marcotte’s Professional Auto Service is the go-to source for car maintenance services in the Loveland, OH, area. With a team of highly knowledgeable technicians, the company takes pride in identifying and fixing a wide range of automotive issues quickly and efficiently. For more information, call (513) 683-7852 or visit the website today.