At A-Protect Warranty, we want you to keep your vehicle secure throughout the year. Few seasons put as many demands on our vehicles as winter can.
Winter puts our cars through a lot
The worst part is that it’s a combination of factors. Extreme temperatures, bad weather, and other elements can cause a considerable amount of damage to your car throughout the season. Worse yet, winter also forces a certain additional strain on the motor. For example, did you ever consider just how much your battery goes through between December and February?
While our cars certainly take a beating during this time of the year, there are thankfully a number of things you can do to keep your vehicle driving securely through the winter.
Tips to protect your car during winter
It seems reasonable to say that your car is one of your most valuable investments. For many people, particularly those who rent, the car represents your largest investment. To that end, you should want to do everything possible to protect your vehicle. This can include investing some time and money into items that may not seem like an immediate threat. Although it may be tempting to put off some repairs, they could quickly turn into major expenses if not dealt with. For example, an old battery can quickly become a dead battery in the cold winter months.
Such problems are sometimes inevitable, but there are still numerous actions you can take to protect your crucial investment:
• Checking the battery: We just touched on this, and it might just be the most important thing you can do for your car or truck during the winter. Remember that if the temperature drops to thirty-two degrees, you’ve lost as much as thirty-five percent of your battery’s power. If your battery wasn’t at 100% to start with, you can see how this might be a problem. Get your battery checked out in the late fall to make sure it will be sufficient for the winter months.
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Wash the car: On particularly cold days, a vehicle with a filthy exterior can be difficult to open because handles and other parts can freeze. The best thing to do is to have your car washed on a semi-regular basis. Ideally you should try to get your car washed on days when the temperature is above freezing. Furthermore, you don’t have to spend a lot of money on this. You can accomplish a lot with the basic wash at any local carwash facility.
• Winter tires? This can be tricky to answer. The truth is that not all vehicles need winter tires. The decision is ultimately going to come down to what a typical winter brings to your area. Do you have a lot of snow and ice? If the answer is yes, then it is almost a certainty that winter tires are going to be ideal. Yes, they can run you as much as a thousand dollars, depending on what you need, but the investment is ultimately worth it.
• Get the wipers replaced: You should have your wipers replaced every six months to a year or so. Try to time your next replacement to late fall. Be on the lookout for any squeaking or smearing from your wipers. In either circumstance, you are going to need new windshield wipers.
• Know where to go for repairs: One of the smartest things you can do to protect your car during the winter is to know where the best mechanic can be found. We all know that damages can happen during the winter and in such circumstances, it is invaluable to know where to go for the help you need. You want a repair facility that is reliable, and you certainly want someone who is going to charge reasonable rates. It may be helpful to do some research on the best auto mechanics in your area. You don’t want to wait until you are dealing with an actual emergency.
In terms of how to care for your car during the winter, it also helps to have your warranty on hand. Make sure you can bring this information out in the event of an accident or any other serious event involving your vehicle.
Finally, consider joining CAA. While this is another measure that is going to cost some money, the value is going to be pretty apparent from the start. Membership can be extremely useful during the rougher months of the year. If you live in an area that deals with a lot of snow, high winds, freezing temperatures, and other weather related hassles, the odds of running into problems increase a significant degree.
While we can’t plan for absolutely everything, there are always going to be things we can do to make sure we’re ready for the worst.
To set your mind at ease, contact A-Protect Warranty at 1-866-660-6444 today to discuss the best warranty option to protect you and your vehicle.