Tips on Keeping Your Truck “Winter Ready”
Written by Alisa Novelli
It’s winter in Michigan. The long, cold, and dark days are upon us. Here in the Motor City, Michiganders know how to prepare for it, including what to do when it comes to proper truck preparation and maintenance in the cold weather.
With Michigan’s winters being unpredictable, always stay ahead of the weather. Take a look at these tips to help ensure you and your truck travel safe this winter.
1.) change to winter tires
Having winter tires not only enhances your truck’s performance on the slick and icey roads, but it creates more traction to keep you safe. Making sure to change those tires during the first snowfall of the year, or even slightly before, ensures that you and your truck can travel safely and smoothly through the harsh Michigan winters.
2.) Check the tire pressure
We’ve all been there before. You’re heading out the door at 7 am in the arctic temperatures of Michigan. You hop in your truck only to see the tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) light up. When the temperatures can hit the negatives in Michigan, our truck’s tires feel it, too. Air becomes contracted when it’s cold which causes our tires to deflate. Be sure to always monitor the pressure in your truck’s tires and fill them up when needed. Locate the information found on the sidewall of your tire to see what the max pounds per square inch (PSI) are for the tires.
3.) Stock up on emergency supplies
You should always carry emergency supplies in your truck, regardless of what season it is. The National Safety Council recommends keeping items like jumper cables, a first aid kit, drinking water, high energy snacks, and cat litter, in your truck. (It’s always important to keep an ice scraper in your car, as well). You never know where your travels will take you. It is always best to travel prepared!
4.) keep the fluids full
It is important to keep your windshield wiper fluid level up. Through the snow and ice, having visibility is crucial. Allstate also recommends replacing worn out or dried-out wiper blades. It is also recommended that you keep your gas tank at least half full during the cold winter months. Condensation can build up in the tank causing the fuel lines to freeze. A full tank is a happy tank!