Depending on how you feel about cold weather, winter can either be your favorite time of year or a time when you count down the days until spring arrives. No matter how you feel personally, it’s important to provide your car with the protection it needs during these chilly months. The cold weather and other factors can be tough on a vehicle, but there are steps you can take to protect yours properly.
Start with Storage
For anyone who lives and drives in a climate that experiences difficult winter weather conditions, having a good place to park is important. Ideally, you’ll be able to park undercover so you don’t have to leave your vehicle out in the elements when it isn’t in use.
Of course, the most protective approach is an enclosed garage. By building a detached garage on your property, you’ll have somewhere to park that keeps the elements away from your vehicle all winter long. Even if the garage isn’t heated, simply stopping the rain, snow, and wind from getting to the vehicle will be a huge upgrade.
If a garage isn’t going to work on your property or in your budget, a metal carport is a great option to consider. The presence of a roof will keep snow from piling up on your vehicle, and you can opt to add sides to your carport. This both provides protection and adds convenience; you won’t have to grab the snow shovel anytime you want to use your car or truck. You’ll save time and make the winter months a little more enjoyable.
Important Maintenance Points
With storage checked off your list, there are some other keys that will help you take care of your car properly until the weather warms up again. Here are some items to consider adding to your list.
Consider Switching Tires
For drivers who deal with snow and ice regularly, standard all-season tires might not get the job done. Despite the name “all-season,” those types of tires aren’t as well-equipped for winter driving as actual “winter” tires. If nothing else, you’ll at least want to check the condition of your tires to make sure they have plenty of tread remaining. Also, consider adding a set of chains to your truck in case you find yourself in a particularly difficult situation.
Ongoing Maintenance
Things like having the oil changed and checking the coolant levels should continue through the winter, even if you might not be racking up the miles quite as you do in the summer months. When this work is done, your mechanic can offer insight on whether you should change anything about your vehicle’s care for the duration of the winter.
Don’t Forget the Wipers
Winter can be hard on windshield wipers. While it’s always best to scrape the ice off your windshield by hand before using the wipers, we are all guilty of trying to get the wipers to do the job from time to time. This can damage the rubber and make those wipers less effective against rain or snow. Windshield wipers are an affordable and easy DIY maintenance to-do.
Establish a Winter Plan
Winter car care is actually pretty simple, and taking these simple steps can prolong the life of your vehicle. Get started as soon as possible on preparing your winter car care plan so you are ready when the weather takes a turn for the worse.
Ordering a metal carport or garage from American Carports, Inc. is an excellent option when you want something durable for an affordable price. By using our Build & Price tool, you can see what sizes, designs, and styles are possible. You can also contact us for help from a member of our team.