Tire Pressure and Tread

As the holidays approach and everyone hops in the car, you need to make sure your tires are ready for the trek. Your tires may not have enough pressure or tread to be able to grip the icy streets. When the temperature drops, tires usually lose 1 – 2 pounds of air pressure for every 10 degrees of temperature change. If your tire pressure isn’t correct, both your gas mileage and your tire rims will suffer. Not only will your gas mileage be affected, but also your tires. In addition, insufficient tread may cause you to lose control over the vehicle more easily while driving on slick roads in comparison to new tires with great tread.

Brakes

You should be aware of the three brake components necessary for safe winter driving; the brake fluid, the brake booster and the vacuum supply hose. Although your brake fluid won’t ever entirely freeze, it can congeal when temperatures drop. When this happens, it will take you longer to come to a complete stop. It also creates air bubbles in the fluid. In the event your brakes do completely freeze up, you can probably blame it on condensation in the booster or vacuum supply hose.

Battery

There are batteries designed specifically to function in extreme cold, however, they can be unnecessarily pricey. If your car won’t start, it’s possible that the battery fluid is frozen and you need to warm it up. The quickest and easiest way is to warm it up is by getting a jump start from another car. This lets your alternator send a current to your battery and the fluids to thaw.

If you’re not one hundred percent certain your tires, brakes or battery are ready for all of your family’s adventures this winter, make a call to our expert technicians at Christian Brothers Automotive in Lafayette, Colorado. We will make sure everything is running smoothly so you and your family can enjoy traveling through the winter wonderland. Remember, just because you’re prepared for the cold weather, that doesn’t mean everyone else on the road is. Take extra precautions and be careful out there. If you do find yourself in a tight spot, we’re just a phone call away.