Harsh winter temperatures and snowy or icy conditions can have a significant impact on your vehicle’s functionality and your drive. Learn more about a few simple steps that will protect your windshield wipers, gas line, and more. so you should have no problem facing the elements.
1 – Lifting Up Your Wipers Before a Storm – Lifting your wipers before a snowstorm to clean your windows more easily may seem like a smart call. But it isn’t a good idea, Over time, doing so is likely to reduce the pressure of the blades against the windshield, which could result in visibility issues, especially in snowy conditions. Also, if one of the wipers unexpectedly loses tension and snaps back toward the window, it could crack the windshield, especially if it happens on a particularly cold winter day. With wipers having a life of only half a year, some drivers prepare by switching to winter wipers instead.
2 – Warming Your Car By Idling – Your window visibility is key to knowing how much you should warm your vehicle before you drive. A car will always warm more quickly while driving than by idling. Modern engines are designed to reach optimal operating temperatures quickly. Prolonged idling can actually stress engine components and lead to premature wear.
3 – Using Your Windows While They’re Still Covered in Ice – Start your car and let the heater and defroster do the hard work; blast the heat on full while you use a scraper to clear ice off the windows. Don’t start using your windows if there is ice still on them. The mechanism required for lowering and raising them is extremely cold and could become stressed with the additional ice, potentially causing it to break.
4 – Driving With Ice and Snow on the Exterior of your Vehicle – Driving without clearing ice and snow from your exterior windows and mirrors before you start driving is an accident waiting to happen and against the law in Wisconsin. Don’t forget about the inside of the car, either. Your AC is also a dehumidifier, so use it to clear foggy windows for better visibility.
5 – Filling Up With Regular Windshield Washer Fluid – One problem observed too often is when the windshield washer fluid gets low, people fill it with regular water. That can lead to a freezing issue that can then impede the assembly. Instead, use the proper windshield wiper fluid—there’s even a winter blend to help stave off freezing.
6 – Ignoring Your Tire Pressure – Cold weather forces tire pressure to drop. If you have a tire pressure sensor, it may alert you to issues, but filling your tires carefully so you prevent over-inflating is just as important. To figure out your car’s suggested tire pressure, see the inside of the driver’s side door. Follow those tire pressure requirements—they will be more specific to what your car needs than the specs on your tires’ sidewalls. It’s also recommended to fill your tires when the car is relatively cold—not after you’ve driven for an hour, so that the resulting pressure reading is more accurate.
7 – Leaving Your Paint & Underside Dirty – A preventative measure could help protect the exterior of your car. It’s suggested getting your car washed and waxed before the winter season, allowing the wax to protect the paint from rust, salt, and chemicals.
8 – Keeping Your Fuel Tank Low – Prevent your gas line from freezing by knowing that water in your tank is the enemy. Keeping your tank at least half full reduces the buildup of condensation which can freeze and stop fuel from reaching your engine.
Should you or a family member be in a winter accident which injuries are sustained, the first thing you should do is contact a personal injury attorney. When you are represented by a skilled attorney, you’ll have your best chance of being fairly compensated for any injuries that you sustain in an accident.
Call Jacobson, Schrinsky & Houck in Milwaukee TODAY at (414) 223-4444 to have one of our caring lawyers come out to meet you. Get money for your injuries and car accident help TODAY. There is no fee until we win.
Car Accident Attorneys – Jacobson, Schrinsky & Houck – Experience – Compassion – Results
#jshlaw #caraccidenthelptoday #nofeeuntilwewin #money4injuries #milwaukeecaraccidentlawyer #accident #jshwins #heretohelp #winteraccident #winterdrivingtips #safetydrivingtips #knowbeforeyougo