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Winter has finally arrived and with it, winter driving can become more hazardous. Here at Finol Oils, we want our customers to remain safe whilst on the roads this winter. While safety is an important consideration all year long, there are certainly some auto maintenance jobs and safety checks that are specific to chilled air and winter driving that must be followed.
Along with the added dangers of winter driving, the changes in weather can cause issues for car’s systems. Freezing temperatures, salted roads and wintery precipitation can all affect your car. These winter maintenance jobs will keep you out of trouble:
Check your Antifreeze
One of the easiest and most important things you should do to ensure that your vehicle is prepared for the cold temperatures and severe weather to come is to check the level of your coolant/antifreeze. Make sure the level is full. If you don’t remember the last time you checked or changed your antifreeze, you need to do so before winters extreme temperatures and harsh road conditions which can seriously damage your car’s engine. Finol has a large range of Coolants and Antifreeze products available.
Inspect your Tyres
The last line of defence between you and sliding to a crash are your tyres. Winter is not the time to get cheap about your tyres, so take the time to check the tread depth and make sure they are safe. Also, be sure to check your tyre pressure. Believe it or not, they lose a little pressure when it gets cold, so pump ’em up.
Replace your Wipers
Windshield wipers are easy to overlook until you find yourself in a pounding rainstorm. If your wiper blades are worn, cracked or rigid with age, the wipers will not adequately remove rain, grime and other debris that can obscure your vision. Any Precipitation falling from the sky rain or snow is going to end up on your windshield, and unless you have good wipers the view through your windscreen will be greatly impeded. Also with the temperatures dropping the familiar sight of the flashing orange light on top of the council trucks will be seen up and down the country’s roads spreading grit which usually ends up looking like muck on the road. This muck includes a lot of sand and salt, both of which end up on your windshield. It takes wipers that are in top shape to keep your windshield clean and safe.
Check your windshield washer fluid
As the roads get wetter and dirtier this winter you’ll find you’ll be using lots of washer fluid as you try to keep your windshield clear. A mile stuck behind another vehicle especially a truck, will have your windshield black and dangerous to drive with if you’re low on washer fluid. Finol’s screen wash fluid is amongst the best in the market for effectiveness and value.
*Tip: Don’t fill your washer fluid reservoir with anything except washer fluid, it won’t freeze!
Check your Engine Oil
Without an adequate supply of clean oil, your engine will wear more rapidly and could even seize and be destroyed. Oil doesn’t freeze like water, but its viscosity, or thickness, does increase as the temperature drops. Lighter-grade oils reduce the load on your car’s battery and starter, allowing more rapid cranking and starting. Lighter oils also reach critical engine lubrication areas much quicker than heavier oils, greatly reducing wear. Change your engine’s oil and oil filter at the specified intervals. Always use the grade of oil approved by your manufacturer. Check out the Which Oil App on our website which will help you find the right grade www.whichoil.ie.
Treat your Diesel Fuel System
A good quality diesel treatment product will improve your engine\’s capabilities. Actioil a product distributed by Finol will help increase your fuel efficiency. It will improve your engines starting capabilities in the cold and it will clean your diesel fuel system with just one application and will last up to one year in your vehicle, or 3 years in your storage tank.
Extra Tips in case you get stuck out in the cold include:
- Keep a blanket or sleeping bag in the car.
- Have a flashlight with extra batteries available.
- Ensure you have some non-perishable food in the car
- A small bag of salt & sand mix for tire traction and a shovel.
- A winter kit. Kit should include tow ropes, windshield scrapers, jumper cables/pack, warning triangle and a first-aid kit.
- Extra clothing to keep dry for all of the vehicle occupants
- Extra clothing to keep dry for all of the vehicle occupants
One final note about automobile safety kits…No kit can fully prepare you for a winter driving season and all of the contingencies that could arise as a result of a sudden change in weather patterns. It is a better idea to pack extra of the supplies needed than to be stranded without the proper equipment.
Safe driving to everyone this winter season, and for more information on Antifreeze, Windshield Washing fluid, Engine Oil and Bags of Salt. Contact Finol today on 01 4555484.
