SALEM, Va. (WFXR) — Winter weather is on its way, and it’s time for drivers to get prepared. Economically, experts say it’s better to get ready now than to wait for an expense later.
“Nobody likes to pay for repairs but if you do it now as planned prepare ahead of time instead of an emergency repair, it’s probably going to be a much better bill,” said Morgan Dean, a mid-Atlantic spokesperson for AAA.
According to Dean, at 32 degrees, your car battery loses 35 percent of its power. Experts with local Advance Auto Parts store in Salem say, your battery is just one of the many things you should check one, especially living near Roanoke.
“Pretty hot in the summer, pretty cold in the winter– that can take a toll on the battery. It’s important to know you’re batteries life, your chargers life,” said Carter Taylor, a retail parts professional with Advance Auto Parts.
Besides the battery, experts say that with it getting darker outside, visibility is important. Drivers should make sure the lights on the outside of their vehicle are working and not dull. Another very important thing to check is your coolant.
“Without coolant in your car, your engine could freeze, possibly lock up,” said Taylor. “Without coolant, your heat’s not going to work and you need your defrost in the morning for those especially cold mornings.”
Taylor says you should check your window wipers as well, watching for cracks or chipping coming off the rubber. You should also check your wiper fluid.
“Of course, it’s important for cleaning off any dirt or debris that may be on your windshield or for those especially cold mornings. It does help melt a thin layer of ice that may be on your windshield. You never want to use your wiper to try and clean that off. It could damage the blade, it could rip the rubber,” said Taylor.
Lastly, Taylor says you should check your tires. Always be aware of your tire pressure, you can find what the pressure of your tire should be on the inside of the driver’s side door.
“Making sure you get those tires pumped up to that right pressure is important to safety. Steering, especially when we start to talk about frozen precipitation — snow and ice on the roadways– you want to have as much control over the vehicle as you’re navigating that,” said Dean.
Tire tread is also important not only in making sure you have enough traction on the road but keeping your gas costs low.
“A good trick you can take is to take a penny and put it in the head of the tire. As long as President Lincoln’s head is still covered up, you’re good to go,” said Taylor.
If you’re looking to cut some of the costs, Advance Auto does offer free replacements for wipers and will charge and test your starter, alternator, and battery for free.