Weather across the country this winter, and every year it seems, is behaving just a little strangely. Depending on where in the country you live, if you want to get through the winter months disaster-free, you’ll need to be prepared for anything. With that in mind, we’ve put together a list of tips for driving in any “extreme”— take our advice and you’ll be prepared to face nearly anything Mother Nature throws at you.
Cold Weather: Look at Your Tires!
When temperatures go down, many things can happen, but the one you should always keep at the front of your mind is that the air pressure in your tires will be lower in cold weather than in hot. Tire pressure typically changes by 1-2 pounds per square inch (PSI) for every 10 degrees of temperature change. It’s simple physics, really — cooler air means slower molecular motion, and that causes the air pressure to drop. Invest in a tire gauge and learn how to read it. Tire pressure can affect your gas mileage, tread wear, and most importantly — safety. Take care to keep your tires properly inflated when temperatures are cooler and you’ll cruise around cool as a cucumber.
Rainy Weather: Take Care of Your Finish!
When storm clouds roll in and darken your day, take care that they don’t blemish your finish, too. This is more than just a cosmetic concern — water is corrosive, and encourages oxidation in the form of rust, which may weaken not only your car’s body but the frame as well, if left unchecked. Not only that, but those little drops of water act like a magnifying glass and can focus the sun’s rays against your finish, potentially causing damage. It seems counterintuitive, but in periods of heavy rainfall, take care to keep your car clean and use a wax or liquid sealant, says Popular Mechanics, taking particular care with the “flat” areas of the hood, roof and trunk where water is more likely to pool. After a rainy day, take care to displace any droplets left pooling on your finish. Properly guarding against water can help preserve your vehicle’s structural integrity and keep it looking shiny, too.
