No matter where your driving takes you this December, a little preparation goes a long way. Here are some of the challenges you and your vehicle might face this season—and how the Leith Toyota service department can help you avoid them.
Wintry weather driving preparation guide
If you’re expecting to encounter snow and ice this season, you should consider specially equipping your vehicle for these conditions. Winter tires or tire chains are both good options to provide additional peace of mind while you’re dashing through the snow to grandmother’s house.
Be sure you have a way of monitoring your tire pressure, since pressure drops more easily in cold temperatures and can make your vehicle react to steering more slowly. Most modern vehicles come with systems that will alert you if your tire pressure is getting low.
Get a complete vehicle inspection at the Leith Toyota service department to alert you to any other issues with your vehicle, especially when it comes to your brakes. You don’t want to wait until you encounter an icy patch to learn that there’s a problem.
How to prepare for driving in rainy weather
In regions where the temperature doesn’t drop below freezing, heavy rains can still be an issue. Again, we recommend a complete inspection to make sure that your vehicle is in good condition for the road ahead.
As you might guess, it’s also a good idea to replace your windshield wipers if you haven’t done so recently. Summer heat can cause your wiper blades to lose their flexibility, making them less efficient in precipitation. In fact, older blades may actually end up doing more harm than good to your visibility.
Other severe weather preparedness tips
You can’t plan for everything – but you can make sure you’re in the best situation possible if something unexpected does come up. You should always have a car emergency kit on-hand, and re-stock as needed. Ask us about prepackaged car emergency kits, or make your own. Start with these essentials:
- Cell phone charger
- First-aid kit
- Jumper cables
- Flashlight
- Extra batteries
- The always-useful duct tape
Have more questions about preparing your vehicle for severe weather? The Leith Toyota service department is happy to help. Just contact us to learn more.
