How to Prepare for Winter Driving

Icy roads, heavy snowfall and whipping winds are just part of what makes winter the most dangerous season to be behind the wheel. Not to mention the fact that other drivers might not know how to drive in poor conditions! Although we can’t prevent other drivers from making mistakes, this post will teach you how to prepare for winter driving in Corydon, IN.

Tires

Bad or unprepared tires are a leading cause of winter road accidents and slide-offs. To ensure you stay on the road and are able to come to a stop quickly, you’ll need to prep your tires for the season. Talk to your mechanic about upgrading to all-season tires or swapping your current tires out for winter tires.

You’ll also need to keep an eye on your tire pressure, as underinflated tires perform poorly on the roads. We recommend checking your tire pressure on cold mornings to ensure they’re properly inflated for your commute.

Electrical system

The battery, alternator and cable connections can all take a beating in the winter months. Since cold temperatures can quickly drain energy from your battery, it’s not a bad idea to have it replaced before winter weather sets in. If you don’t want to replace it, at least have it checked to ensure it’ll hold a charge through the season.

To fully prepare for winter driving in Corydon, IN, it’s a good idea to clean your battery connectors and terminals if you’re not getting a new battery. Although your mechanic can also perform this task, you can easily do it yourself by scrubbing the terminals with a mixture of water and baking soda.

Engine coolant

Your engine’s coolant is essential for keeping your vehicle running at peak performance and preventing it from overheating. The start of winter is a great time to check your coolant levels and top off the reservoir. While filling up the coolant, make sure there aren’t any loose clamps or cracks in the hoses that could lead to leaks later in the season.

We advise bringing your vehicle to a mechanic to perform this service. A professional can perform a full inspection and double-check that everything looks the way it should.

Windshield

Our last tip on how to prepare for winter driving in Corydon, IN is to care for your windshield and windshield wipers. Be sure to fill up your windshield washer reservoir with fluid that’s designed for cold temperatures—you don’t want the fluid to freeze on cold days. Now is also a great time to replace your old wipers, as the rubber tends to crack throughout the year.

Make sure your windshield doesn’t have any cracks in it. Even the smallest cracks or chips can compromise your windshield’s integrity, and the issue will only get worse as the season goes on. You may be able to have small cracks repaired. Otherwise, you’ll need to replace the entire windshield.

Is your vehicle properly insured?

Having adequate car insurance is obviously essential throughout the year. However, one could argue that it’s most important in the winter months, when the risk of accidents is higher. As you prepare for winter driving in Corydon, IN, consider calling the team at Harvey Sarles Insurance Agency to discuss your current plan and get a new car insurance quote.