Featured News 2013 Can Your Car Handle the Winter Weather?

Can Your Car Handle the Winter Weather?

As blizzards cover areas of the United States in white and harsh winds rage, it is often dangerous for motorists out on the road. Ice can make roads extremely slick, and misapplying to brake can send a car skidding down the asphalt. Oftentimes the winter storms may cause limited vision, and the winds can pitch a car back and forth on the road or cause taller trucks to flip. If weather conditions are extreme, it is never worth it to attempt to brave the hard weather. Instead, you should opt to stay home or in a safe indoor location and wait until the roads are not as dangerous. During the winter, the National Highway Traffic Safety Association recommends that all drivers take their vehicles in for a tune-up. You will want to make sure that your tires are in top shape when you take to snowy and icy roads, and ensure that windshield wipers and defrosters are working properly. It would be terrible to find out that there are defects with any of these parts of your car when you need them.

You should also have your starting system battery checked when you go in for a tune-up. You want to make sure that it has sufficient voltage, because these batteries often lose power when the temperature drops. You should also determine whether or not you have enough engine coolant in your vehicle. Most coolant solutions are designed so that they can stand the cold weather, but ensure that the brand that you are using won’t freeze within the car. You should mix the coolant with part water but check your car owner’s manual for an exact ratio that works with your car. You should also get your engine’s cooling system flushed in the winter, as this can keep the inside of the cooling system for rusting. You should also fill your washer fluid with no-freeze fluid as this can help you to clear off the windshield when it is stormy and dark outside.

Before you take off and hit the road in the winter, ensure that there is no snow on your side mirrors or windows. This will limit your visibility can be dangerous. You should also clear snow and ice from your vehicle’s roof and hood as this can fall forward onto your windshield when you are driving and be very dangerous. You should also check your tire pressure and make sure that the inflation is correct when you are driving in the winter. This is because the tire pressure can drop as the temperature drops. This can put you at risk to an accident if you are not careful. You should also stock your vehicle with important tools that you may need in case of a snow storm. These include chains for your tires, blankets, a snow shovel, a broom, an ice scraper, and jumper cables.

If you are involved in a car accident during a winter storm, then you may be able to seek compensation. You will need to prove that the accident was not your fault and was instead someone else’s responsibility. For example, if you took all precautions with your vehicle, but another driver failed to put correct traction on the tires in snowy conditions and as a result that driver slid into you on the road, then this would be a situation where you deserve compensation. As well, if you are injured in a car accident that happened because of a car defect, then this can be a product liability lawsuit and you may be able to contact the car company. If you want more information about seeking compensation in a car accident, then contact a car accident lawyer near you today!

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