Wisconsin winters aren’t for the faint of heart. We’ve got extreme cold, crazy temperature changes, snow, ice, wind, you name it. Inevitably at some point if you live in the frozen tundra of Wisconsin long enough, your car can break down, or you can end up in the ditch, or you can have tire issues. That’s something you want to prevent at all costs, so we are going to give you some tips on how to avoid getting stuck in the cold and snow!
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-Make sure you have your car serviced for winter- that includes making sure your battery has enough juice to get you to where you need to go. If your battery is older- we do free battery testing here at Schmit Bros! In winter, the cold takes more energy for your car to start, so make sure your battery is up to par.
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-Get winter tires! While all season tires can do the job, it won’t offer you what winter tires can. Rubber compounds in tires can harden and not only deflate a little more but can also decrease your tire’s ability to grip the road.
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Make sure your maintenance is up to date. Hoses, belts, cables, wires, spark plugs...they are all essential to making your vehicle run smoothly. The extreme cold can always complicate these things. Make sure they are routinely checked at your oil changes.
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-Make sure you have good windshield wipers! Snow is a lot heavier than rain and ice is thicker and harder to wipe away. A good set of heavy wipers are equipped with rubber that doesn’t let ice collect on the blades. This is one of the things that you can splurge a little more on...you need to see to drive!
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-Make sure your washer fluid is full. It also doesn’t hurt to get washer fluid that is rated for colder temperatures that can melt ice on your windshield if you don’t feel like scraping it. If your windshield gets dirty like they all do in winter, it can keep ice from forming while using your washer fluid to clean the windshield.
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-Make sure you have a winter safety kit for any type of emergency- these things that can be really helpful if you ever get stranded. Make sure to have matches, a first aid kit, blankets, a flashlight with spare batteries, jumper cables, a bag of sand or kitty litter, an extra shovel, and extra anti-freeze. These are things that can help you or even save your life if the temperatures dip cold enough and you get stranded.
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-Make sure the defrosters are working properly in your car- Being able to see in front of and behind you can keep you from entering unsafe driving conditions. Some state laws also say that your rear window and windshield must be free of condensation and debris. Not only is it safer for driving, but it can also save you from a ticket!
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-If you get stuck in the snow, don’t keep your car running for long periods of time! Turn it on long enough to warm you up, but then turn it off again. This can save you from carbon monoxide poisoning.
These helpful items and tips can help you if you get stranded or could help someone else! Make sure to get your oil changes and winter checkups at Schmit Bros for a safe journey ahead. We have service on both our Ford and Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep/Ram side, but you don’t have to own a Ford or CDJR for us to help you! Give us a call at 262-284-3100 and we’re happy to help you with all of your service needs!