Maryland’s winter can be hard on vehicles and stressful for drivers. Unpredictable road conditions can make longer trips difficult, while city streets can be plagued by ice patches and layers of salt. We’ve come up with four ways to prepare your car for the Maryland winter so you stay safe on the road.
Wax Ahead of Time
Snowy conditions can wreak havoc on your paint job. There’s lots of debris that can get caught under your vehicle and along the sides. Left untreated, it can eat away at the paint and cause rust and other damage. In addition, the salt on the road can destroy the exterior of your vehicle.
To prevent damage, get your car professionally waxed before the cold sets in and maintain it throughout the season. The wax will create a barrier between your car’s paint and the outside world. Try to hose your vehicle off after driving through salt or dirty snow to help prevent a build-up of corrosives that can, over time, cause serious body issues. Don’t forget to spray under your vehicle as well.
Change Out Fluids
During the wintertime, fluids in your vehicle can pose problems. If you don’t have the correct type, you may find yourself with a broken down vehicle. To prevent this problem, make sure that both your oil and wiper fluids are freeze-proof. Frozen oil can cause major problems with your engine, while frozen wiper fluid decreases visibility and can damage the associated hose.
Check Your Tires
Whether you have front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, skidding on ice presents a serious issue. There are a number of ways to help avoid slipping on ice patches, including driving slowly and carefully, with a healthy distance between your vehicle and the one in front.
However, sometimes even the most careful drivers find themselves in danger of skidding. To help prevent these situations, make sure your tires have healthy treads. Treads help grip the road, and a solid tread will keep you more firmly planted. There are specific snow tires available, but often — especially for city drivers — a well-maintained tread should be enough.
Create Emergency Kit
A winter emergency kit can spare you a lot of stress and misery. While no driver wants to think they’ll get stranded, it’s a common enough occurrence during the winter, especially if the weather deteriorates quickly with very little warning. Emergency kits should include items like warm blankets, ice scrapers, and kitty litter or sand for traction in case your vehicle gets stuck.
Snacks may also be a good addition, as well as gloves and thick socks. Your top priority is warmth and safety, so your kit should address those needs.
These are just a few ways to get your car prepped for the Maryland winter. Remember that driving carefully in these conditions, no matter how confident of a driver you are, can mean the difference between staying safe and a potentially dangerous situation.
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