Published by admin at February 9, 2017 When driving, it is always best to keep your vehicle in the best condition possible. This is important because you will be able to reduce the chance of an accident occurring. Without proper inspections, your vehicle will be more likely to have an issue occur when you are not prepared for it. If you notice anything out of the norm, make sure to bring the vehicle in as soon as possible. Poor Visibility Winter driving can be more difficult than driving during other times of the year. This is because snow and rain can stick to your window, and start to turn to ice. This will impair your visibility when you are driving. Make sure to remove all the snow, ice, and frost from your windows. The headlights should also be inspected. If they burn out, make sure to have them replaced over time to help improve the visibility when you drive. Dead Battery Another part to inspected for the vehicle is the battery. Cold weather can impair an aging battery’s ability to start your vehicle, especially when temperatures dip below freezing. If you are not buying a new battery, consider giving your current battery an inspection. Check the lead connections for corrosion and clean them as needed with a wire brush. You may consider investing in a portable power source, which can deliver the juice needed to jump-start your vehicle should you get stranded, and at the very least, never leave home without a set of jumper cables. Low Tire Pressure Tire pressure should be checked monthly, but this is doubly true in colder weather. Cool temperature changes air pressure, and tires with plenty of air in the summer will show less pressure in winter simply due to the change in atmospheric pressure. When inflating your tires, use the pressure indicated in your manual, or on the label inside the driver’s side door. Never use pressures indicated on the tire sidewall. Rust Forming due to Salt With winter comes road treatment, which usually means rock salt or salty brine sprayed on roads. While this is very effective at keeping the roads safe from ice, salt is also quite corrosive and can damage the finish of your vehicle if left for too long. Regular visits to the car wash are highly recommended to keep this stuff from doing too much damage. And do not neglect the undercarriage of the vehicle. A lot of road muck ends up on the undercarriage, which is easy to overlook, so do your best to clean under there, too. Remember, once rust takes hold, it is a problem eating at the body, frame and critical parts of the vehicle. Keep the corrosive beast at bay with diligent cleaning. Keeping the vehicle clean can help reduce rust occurring. It will also keep the vehicle lasting as long as possible.