Preface
This year, we are predicted to have a far more intense winter than last year. Temperatures are expected to fall into the negatives at night, and plenty of snow. With bad weather comes dangerous driving conditions and greater wear and tear on your vehicle. With any luck, by the end of this article, you will be more knowledgeable about how to prepare for winter.
Driving Tips
In the winter, even with salted roads, snow and ice are a prominent issue. While driving, notice areas more likely to have ice. Bridges freeze before roads and parking lots can be undermanaged. This doesn’t mean that regular roads are safe; there can be ice anywhere. When driving, make gentle movements with your steering and begin braking far earlier than you typically would. If you ever get stuck, check your car’s modes; some may have a snow mode. If not, your car may be equipped with features such as All Wheel Drive, diff lock, and a low gear, which all aid in getting your vehicle out of a tough spot. Most importantly, cars are not invincible, so always dress in the winter for in case you end up sitting on the side of the road, not for a warm car.
Car Prep
As I stated earlier, cars unfortunately aren’t invincible and likely you have a lot of money wrapped up in yours. That is why it is important to protect your investment and make it last as long as possible. In Rhode Island, over the past couple of decades, inspections have become more and more strict. You are not allowed to have a rust hole on your vehicle larger than the size of a quarter, and no structural rot. This can make it difficult to make a car last due to salt on our roads ruining our cars. Fortunately, not all hope is lost; you can protect your vehicle and I will tell you how.
If you have a rusty vehicle, you are going to want to stop that rust in its tracks before winter hits to increase the longevity of your vehicle. It’s not uncommon in New England for any vehicle over 5-10 years old to have a rusty undercarriage. Salt and sand on the roads builds up in places under your car and accelerates rust. If your vehicle is starting to show signs of rust, it’s important to wash under your car thoroughly and seal it with paint. I personally recommend rustoleum black High Performance Protective Enamel, but anything is better than nothing. If you really want to go the extra mile, you can wire brush your whole frame, spray it with a rust converter, and then spray a Rustoleum undercoating. This technique should last for years to come.
To prove that I stand by this method, I did it on my own truck. Although my truck was already in great condition for its age, I thought it would be a good idea to grind down, prime, and undercoat my frame anyway to make sure it stays in good condition. Here are some before and after photos
Conclusion
I hope you have learned something useful about protecting your car and staying safe this winter. Good luck and thank you for reading.
