Important Winter Car Care Tips

In the cold months of Winter you don’t want to get stranded on the side of the road in the cold temperatures. Here are some simple tips to keeping your car running smoothly in the winter months.

1. Check your tire pressure weekly. Driving on under-inflated tires will cause them to wear down quicker than normal to where you will prematurely lose traction on icy or slippery surfaces. Note: Your tires lose a pound of pressure with every 10-degree drop in temperature.
2. Keep your fuel tank half full, this will be the difference of staying warm or freezing in the winter if you find your self stranded. With a half full tank you’ll be able to run your vehicle’s heater while you wait for help inside your warm vehicle.
3. It’s never really an issue in South Texas, but sometimes the roads have to be de-iced. Adding a protective coat of polymer wax can create a barrier against de-icing agents, salt, snow, ice, and sleet. A couple of high pressure car washes will rinse away any build up that accumulates over time.
4. If you park outdoors leaving your vehicle exposed to the elements, then it’s best practice to raise your windshield wipers if there is freezing rain in the forecast for your area. Also never use your wiper blades to remove ice, snow, or frost from the windshield, always use an ice scraper instead.

With that in mind here in the San Antonio area this Wednesday night into Thursday are expecting winter like weather that we are not used to driving in. Isolated precipitation is possible tonight. Most locations will stay dry as the coverage is expected to be isolated if it does develop. It will be cold enough for a wintry mix north of I-10. Accumulations are not expected as dry air should keep the intensity of any precip low.

Isolated precipitation is possible tonight. Most locations will stay dry as the coverage is expected to be isolated if it does develop. It will be cold enough for a wintry mix north of I-10. Accumulations are not expected as dry air should keep the intensity of any precip low. pic.twitter.com/wfyZaK5hiz

— NWS Austin/San Antonio (@NWSSanAntonio) February 5, 2020