Prepare Your Vehicle Now For Another Wyoming Winter
Temperatures are dipping into the 30s at night, which means they will soon be dipping into the 30s during the day. When this happens, the nighttime temps will plummet well below freezing. Common sense tells you to close your windows if you're not a fan of Old Man Winter nipping at your toes.
READ MORE: Winter Hacks To Assist During The Upcoming Wyoming Winter
This fall has been mostly pleasant, and we're at the midway point of October, so you may not've thought much about getting your vehicle set for the cold weather. You know the old saying, "There's no time like the present," and that way of thinking fits perfectly now.
There are several things you can do to your vehicle that won't cost you a dime.
- Check the air pressure in your tires.
- Top off the fluids
- Engine Oil
- Washer Fluid
- Use winter washer fluid designed for cold weather
- Brake Fluid
- Coolant
- Winter-grade coolant helps prevent your car from freezing up when temperatures drop below freezing.
- Transmission Fluid
- Ensure all of your lights are in working order.
- Headlights
- Taillights
- Turn Signals (always good to check the blinker fluid)
- License plate light
- Test your battery
- What shape are your brakes in?
- Wet, icy, or snow-covered roads increase your stopping distance, and you'll want good working brakes.
- Check your hoses and belts for signs of wear and tear.
- Retrieve your emergency vehicle kit from the garage or storage.
- Blanket
- Extra gloves, hats, and scarves.
- Non-perishable foods.
- Water.
- Ice Scraper
- Traction aid to assist if you get stuck.
- Ice melt
- Sand
- Cat litter
- Flashlight
- First-aid kit.
There are also tasks you may need to perform that will cost money.
- Get an oil change.
- Replace your tires if they have poor tread depth.
- Get your coolant flushed and replaced.
- Replace your brakes.
- Replace any hoses and belts that are cracked or show signs of wear and tear.
- Purchase a new emergency kit that includes all the necessary supplies and winter tools to ensure you're prepared.
READ MORE: How Many Shovels You'll Need to Tackle The Wyoming Winter
It's not a guarantee that you'll need to replace all of these items or need to put any money into preparing your vehicle at all, but being prepared is key. Remember that you rely on your car, and investing a little into it now will help keep the costs down in the future.