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- Winterizing your company car safeguards its performance, prevents costly repairs, and supports business productivity during winter.
- Proper battery care, including using a battery warmer, can prevent unexpected breakdowns in cold weather.
- Correct tire pressure, tread depth, and type are crucial for safe driving in snowy and icy conditions.
- Upgrading damaged car glass enhances visibility, safety, and overall vehicle performance during winter.
Winter is not just a time of cold and gray skies, but it can also affect your company car. To ensure that your business stays productive and efficient, it’s essential to protect your company car from the harsh winter elements. Winterizing your car is a crucial step in keeping your car in good shape, preventing expensive repairs, and maintaining high standards as you go about your business. To help you get started, this blog post has put together some essential tips on how to winterize your company car.
Check Your Car’s Battery
The cold weather affects the battery life of your vehicle, making it harder for it to start. Therefore, it’s essential to check your car’s battery before the winter sets in. Test it to know whether it’s still in good condition and can retain a reliable charge. If it’s not, replace it as soon as possible to avoid unexpected breakdowns and costly repairs. Here are other ways to avoid having problems with your car’s battery come winter:
Turn off All Electronics
Before shutting down and exiting your vehicle, ensure that all electronics – such as lights, radio, or heater – are turned off. These devices can quickly drain your battery, especially in cold weather. By turning them off when not in use, you can significantly extend your battery life and avoid the inconvenience of a dead battery on a cold winter day.
Keep Your Car in a Garage or Covered Parking Lot
Cold weather can be brutal on your car’s battery. Leaving your vehicle exposed to the harsh winter elements can drastically reduce its battery life. By keeping your car in a garage or covered parking lot, you can shield it from freezing temperatures, thus helping to maintain its battery life. This simple step can go a long way in preventing a dead battery situation, which can be especially challenging to handle during winter.
Consider Investing in a Battery Warmer
A battery warmer is an invaluable tool for those frigid winter months. It works by maintaining a more favorable temperature around the battery, thereby preventing it from freezing. When used in conjunction with a plug-in engine block heater, it can ensure your vehicle starts without any problems, even on the coldest winter days.
Tire Pressure
The right tire pressure is essential during the winter season. Cold temperatures reduce the pressure of your tires, making it harder for your vehicle to maneuver through the snow or ice. Therefore, check and ensure that your tires have enough pressure and that they are suitably inflated for the winter. Here are some factors to take into account:
Type of Tires
Consider investing in winter tires if you live in an area with heavy snowfall. These specialized tires have better traction and grip on snowy or icy roads, making it safer for you to drive. They are specifically designed to withstand cold temperatures and are a significant investment for those who regularly drive in harsh winter conditions.
Check Your Tire Tread
Worn-out tire treads can be extremely dangerous during the winter season. They can cause your vehicle to slip and slide on slippery roads, putting both you and others at risk. Therefore, take some time to inspect your tire tread before the start of winter. If they are too worn out, consider replacing them with new ones that have better tread depth for improved traction.
Keep a Tire Pressure Gauge in Your Car
As the temperature drops, so does your tire pressure. It’s crucial to check and maintain your tire pressure regularly during the winter to ensure that they are correctly inflated. By keeping a tire pressure gauge in your car, you can easily monitor and adjust the air pressure in your tires as needed.
Upgrade Your Car’s Glass
Upgrading your car’s glass is another significant aspect to consider when winterizing your company vehicle. Cold weather can be damaging to your car’s windshield and other windows, especially if they have existing cracks or chips.
These imperfections can quickly worsen under the winter elements and obstruct your view while driving, which poses a safety threat. An efficient auto glass replacement is thus a proactive solution to prevent any complications from arising during the colder months.
Replacing compromised glass will not only increase your visibility and safety during winter drives but also enhance your vehicle’s overall performance and longevity.
Winterizing your company car is an essential step in ensuring that it’s in good condition and maintaining high standards during the winter season. Regular maintenance, proper storage, and investing in essential tools like a battery warmer can go a long way in preventing costly repairs and breakdowns. By following these tips, you can minimize the impact of cold weather on your company car and keep your business running smoothly throughout the winter months.
