The temperatures are dropping in Central Texas, with an expected record low of –1 in Waco on Sunday. Unfortunately, this weather is expected to last much longer than us native Texans are accustomed and hiding indoors may not be the solution all week. If you have special Valentine’s plans this weekend or simply need to get to work and the grocery store here is some advice from our experts.
Jon Taft, Service Advisor Manager, says, “Make sure you do a thorough vehicle inspection before taking off on the road, cold temperatures can magnify existing problems.”
Vehicle Inspection Tips:
- Allow your car a little more time to warm up so that oil in the transmission and engine can circulate and get warm (always make sure your garage door is open prior to starting your vehicle).
- Ensure you have good tread on your tires, we recommend replacing tires with a tread less then 3/32 of an inch. (An easy gage is to use a penny, place a penny headfirst into several tread grooves across the tire, if you can see Lincoln’s head your tires are too worn.
- Double check your tire pressure; low tires can cause you to slide on the road.
- Clear all windows, mirrors and cameras of ice or debris to allow for an unobstructed view (frozen sensors on your vehicle will continue to alert you if not cleared).
- Check your wiper blades, if they were used to clear ice previously the blades or motor may need to be replaced. Cold weather can also make the blades brittle and more likely to crack.
- Never spray your vehicle with water to clear ice, this will only cause more problems. (We highly recommend investing in a scrapper, but you can also use a credit card, spatula or even a baseball cap in a pinch).
Robert Chollett, Quick Lane Service Manager, said, “Most modern vehicles are fully equipped to handle cold weather, but it is always good to double check your battery and coolant. A low battery may have difficulty starting in cold weather.” If you have any questions or want a thorough vehicle inspection you can always stop by our Quick Lane and our team will be glad to help, make sure your vehicle is running safely for all weather.
Vice President, Claire Kultgen reminds, “It’s always best to double your travel time when traveling in inclement weather, go slow and pay attention to weather warnings and watches.”
If you have any questions regarding your vehicle, please give us a call.
Please stay safe and warm this winter.
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