6 Simple Winter Car Care Tips You Should Know
Photo by Da Khatri under Pexels License
How to Keep Your Car in Tip-Top Shape This Season
Whether you like it or not, winter’s here. During this time, car ownership can be a little challenging. It doesn’t matter if you’re driving a plug-in hybrid, an EV, hybrid, or gas/diesel — the freezing temperatures can and will affect your vehicle and the way you drive. For this reason, you need to prioritize car caring and make the necessary preparations to face the punishing cold.
Car Caring Tips for the Winter Season
If you want to make sure that your car runs smoothly and retains its life during the winter season, you need to follow these winter car care tips that Goodwill Car Donations has pulled together for you.
- Test your defroster and heater.
Be sure to check your climate control system as well as your window defroster. You’ll want them functioning fully so that you can be safe and comfortable during these cold months. If yours is an electric vehicle, keep in mind that your use of a heater will have an impact on how far your car can travel.
- Use winter tires instead of regular tires.
Do you live in a region where temperatures usually drop below 45°? It doesn’t matter if it’s snowing or not — you have to replace your regular tires with winter tires so you can have better traction while you’re stopping or turning on icy roads.
- Check your tire pressure every week.
The last thing you’d want is to drive on underinflated tires while driving on slippery or icy surfaces. Be mindful that with every 10-degree decrease in temperature, your tires lose a pound of pressure. If you don’t want them to wear down prematurely and lose traction, be sure to check their pressure every week.
- Get your lights checked.
Since winter months have shorter days, you won’t get as much daylight as you normally do. For this reason, you’ll have to make sure that your headlights and tail lights are in good condition, giving you the best road illumination while you’re driving.
- Flush and fill antifreeze.
To prevent your car from freezing in the punishing cold, make sure to check if you have enough antifreeze in your vehicle and if there are any leaks in your engine. Your car’s radiator should have a 1:1 ratio of antifreeze and water to reduce your engine’s freezing point.
- Add a protective layer.
A coat of polymer wax on your car’s body can effectively create a barrier against road salt, snow, grime, and sleet. It’s also extremely important to use high-pressure car washes to rinse away the buildup in your car’s underbody, wheels, and wheel wells after winter storms.
Reach Out to Disadvantaged Folks This Winter
While making sure that your car is fit to drive this winter, spare a thought for the needy people in your local area who are freezing in their homes and struggling to make ends meet. They include the men and women in your community who are suffering from disabilities, lack of education or essential skills, and other disadvantages that make it tough for them to find decent sources of income.
You can easily lend them a helping hand with the simple act of donating an unwanted vehicle to us at Goodwill Car Donations. We will use your donation to improve the lives of your less fortunate neighbors.
We will auction off your donated vehicle and turn over the proceeds to the Goodwill organizations serving your area. These IRS-approved 501(c)(3) nonprofits cater to disadvantaged individuals, using the funding that we give them to provide their beneficiaries with job training, employment opportunities, scholarships, livelihood assistance, disability benefits, and other critical community-building support services.
These are all meant to equip these needy individuals with the tools that will help them attain economic independence and a better quality of life.
We’ll pick up and tow your vehicle for free wherever you had it parked or stored anywhere in the country. Your donation will also entitle you to receive the maximum tax deduction in the next tax season.
What’s more, you can count on us to provide you with a highly satisfying donation experience, knowing that your act of charity will help generate new jobs in your community.
We accept almost all types of vehicles, whether still in good condition or no longer.
To find out the details of our vehicle donation process, and other relevant information, visit our FAQs page. For your questions and concerns, call us at 866-233-8586 or write to us here.
Photo by JacobS JS under Pexels License
Warm the Hearts of the Needy with Your Gift
This winter, warm the hearts of your less fortunate neighbors by giving them the gift of hope of a better life. Your car donation will help give them this hope. Call Goodwill Car Donations at 866-233-8586 or fill out our online donation form now!
Last Updated: February 28th, 2023