Snow, ice, and cold temperatures are not the only difficulties winter brings. Harsh driving conditions also bring extra challenges. Decreased visibility and slippery roads make driving quite a struggle in the winter. The battery, the fuel lines, the air conditioner (specifically the compressor), and many other vehicle components must work even harder if not properly prepared for the cold weather. However, following just a few simple tips you can avoid many unnecessary challenges.
Winter Tires
Enhancing traction is key when it comes to travelling safely during winter. So, you’ll need winter tires that have intricate tread and wider grooves that give additional traction in colder weather without losing their friction. Also, when it’s cold outside, you want to check the tires and pressure at least once a month, just because the tire air pressure decreases faster in colder weather.
Snow Chains
Snow chains also improve the tires’ traction on ice, snow, and slush by providing an extra layer of grip in extreme winter conditions. With the cold temperatures creeping up even as early as October in some regions, you’ll need to keep a set of tire chains on hand.
Heated Mirrors and Windshield Wipers
When you are on the highway, you don’t want anything impeding your visibility. However, in winter, condensation is a big troublemaker. For a quick solution, heated wipers and windshields will be your best friend. Heated wipers have a heating element in them that warms up when in use. With this feature, they easily evaporate fog and melt ice in a matter of minutes, keeping the glass frost-free. Heated windshields on the other hand, with the help of wires, look like the defrost system in the rear window. With a push of a button, the heating element is enabled, preventing wiper blades from freezing.
Engine Block Heater and Battery Warmer
Due to the cold weather, many drivers “warm up” their vehicles in winter which keeps the engine’s crucial parts working. This helps the car oil as well. Cold weather thickens the oil, making it difficult to flow through the engine, and these conditions raise the friction among various moving parts, thus increasing the engine wear.
Likewise, block heaters are of great help. Through the help of automatic timers, they are set to be turned on two to four hours before it is time to drive, ensuring the car’s engine and oil are kept warm.
Antifreeze and Winter Fluids
Antifreeze is a must for any vehicle since it prevents corrosion inside the cooling system. It also assists in maintaining the optimal operating temperature of your engine, thereby avoiding the issue of your engine freezing or overheating. As you can imagine, checking your antifreeze regularly will be greatly beneficial to the longevity of your engine.
Plus, you can’t forget the winter-grade windshield fluid whose chemical makeup melts ice quickly which comes in handy if you don’t have heated wiper blades.
Winter Emergency Kit
Road conditions change rapidly, and in case you are caught up in the middle of the road in bad weather, you want to be prepared. Keeping an ample supply of these winter mini truck accessories is a matter of survival when the temps reach the freezing point. You’ll need to start with warm clothes, blankets, gloves, a hat, and boots. Continue with non-perishable food, like granola, cereal, chocolate, and of course water. Printed road maps, a torch, spare batteries, and a first aid kit are also a must. If possible, it is also recommended to have small candles, heat packs, sunglasses, and deicer. Finally, a shovel, kitty litter, waterproof matches, and booster cables are also good to have.
Conclusion
You can never be too prepared for a winter road trip. After all, it is one thing when the temperature is one or two degrees below zero, but it is a whole different story when it is -30. And while nobody wants to experience any road issues, problems and incidents happen. So at least what you can do is be prepared. Start from the basics – proper, solid winter tires, and compatible snow chains. Continue with having workable heated mirrors and windshield wipers, and don’t forget the importance of an engine block heater and battery warmer. Additionally, maintaining the right levels of antifreeze and having a well-stocked winter emergency kit can make a significant difference. With japanminitruckparts.com, you can easily overcome many, if not all, road trip difficulties.
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