Extreme cold can cause havoc on your vehicle, affecting everything from the engine down to the tires. The risk grows even higher during a cold snap, as temperatures can plummet overnight and endanger your morning commute.
So, in addition to keeping abreast of the forecast, here are some other things you can do to prepare and protect your vehicle:
- Check the battery. Cold temperatures drain your battery in a hurry, so make sure to regularly check the terminals and cables to ensure they’re well-connected and corrosion-free. Coating the terminals with petroleum jelly or automotive grease can prevent deposits from forming. If your battery casing looks cracked, or the battery appears swollen, visit our Service Center and have it checked out ASAP.
- Monitor your tires monthly. Cold weather drops tire pressure, which can negatively affect your handling and stopping.
- Check your oil regularly, and change it if needed. Low temperatures thicken engine oil, interfering with its ability to travel through the engine. In extreme cases, this can lead to an unwanted, and expensive, breakdown.
- Conduct a regular, thorough visual inspection.Look at the belts, hoses, wipers and windshield. Belts and hoses are much more likely to get brittle and break in winter, while wipers need to be in ideal condition to remove snow and ice. If your windshield has any cracks or chips, they’re more likely to get worse in winter conditions.
- Fill up your gas tank.Keeping the tank at least half-full will help prevent gas-line freeze-ups. Every time you fuel up, go ahead and check your coolant level. Running low on coolant (a.k.a., antifreeze) can ruin your engine.
- Always carry an emergency kit in the trunk. Nobody plans on getting stuck during a storm. Being prepared ahead of time can potentially be a life-saving precaution.
Our showroom at 13305 North Highway 25E in Corbin, KY, proudly serves Ford drivers from the Corbin, London, Somerset, Harlan and Manchester areas.