Posted in Car Accident on December 14, 2016
It’s Time to Winterize Your Vehicle
Cold weather has arrived in Middle Tennessee and shows no signs of letting up for the next few months. With temperatures still relatively mild during the day, now is the perfect time to winterize your vehicle and prepare it for the frigid nights and early mornings that are sure to come in late December all the way through March.
Winterizing your vehicle is a great way to not only keep it running more efficiently during cold weather, it can also reduce your risks of being involved in an accident and can even save your life if you get stuck in a winter storm.
Finally, winterization can be a relatively inexpensive process—especially if you don’t need brand new tires. Most of the process involves just a few minor maintenance tasks and stocking your vehicle with the essentials. However, it’s important to remember that spending a little extra will not only help protect your family and your vehicle, but it can also keep your car in great shape for many winters to come.
Essential Vehicle Winterization Tips
Winterizing your vehicle should accomplish three goals: make it more reliable, make it safer to drive, and make it more comfortable for you and your family in the winter—especially if you get stuck in snow or ice.
Here are a few tips for properly winterizing your vehicle:
Car batteries are among the first components to struggle to operate at peak efficiency or performance during cold weather. In fact, when the temperature drops to around 0 degrees F, car batteries generate only around half of the power that they generate when the weather is 80 degrees F. Check your battery for signs of corrosion and make sure the connectors are secure. If you’ve experienced battery issues in the past six months, replace your vehicle’s battery as soon as possible.
In addition to hurting your battery, cold weather can also make your oil less efficient, which in turn slows and degrades the performance of your entire engine. Don’t put off a scheduled oil change during the winter months. When you get your oil changed, check your manufacturer’s recommendations to find the right oil grade for the temperatures your vehicle will be exposed to during the winter.
Snow and ice can cause vehicles to lose traction at any speed. Having tires with plenty of traction is essential for maintaining control of your vehicle when driving during the winter—especially after recent snow and ice accumulation. Check your tires regularly in the winter for signs of wear and tear. If the tread appears to be worn, replace them as soon as possible.
Although Middle Tennessee isn’t known for heavy snowfalls, many people have gotten stuck for hours or even overnight on highways and interstates in and around Nashville due to major winter storms. Having plenty of winter weather and emergency supplies in your vehicle, such as blankets, extra clothing, snacks, water, and cell phone chargers can help you stay safe if you’re stuck inside your car for a long period.
At Matt Hardin Law, our Nashville auto accident lawyers know that the number of car crashes can increase significantly when winter weather arrives. Snow and ice can make driving conditions dangerous, and all it takes is one driver failing to slow down or drive cautiously to cause a serious chain-reaction accident.
If you or someone you know was injured in a winter-weather accident caused by a negligent driver, you may be eligible to file a claim for compensation. To find out how our legal team can assist you with your claim, just dial (615) 200-1111 or complete a free online consultation form. We have two decades of experience fighting for the rights of injured victims, and we know what it takes to win.
