6 Ways to Protect Your Car During Connecticut’s Winter Weather

The winter weather in Connecticut can get pretty cold and harsh. Greenwich, CT, sees overnight lows in January of 21 Fahrenheit, with up to 15.9 inches of snow. On the roads, the combination of slush, sand, grit, and salt can damage your car’s paintwork, cause rust, and even impede the vehicle’s performance. The following measures will help ensure your vehicle is in good shape through winter.

Keep Your Car Free of Snow

If there’s a build-up of snow or ice anywhere on your car during winter, it most likely contains salt from the road. This salt is corrosive and can damage your paintwork, undercarriage, brake lines, gas lines, and exhaust system. So be sure to clean all snow off regularly. Pay particular attention to the underside, wheel arches, and exhaust.

Clean Your Tires Often

Most of the damage to the lower bodywork and underside of the car comes from the tires throwing up grit and salt. If you take care between drives to scrub the tire treads clean, you’ll do a great deal to alleviate this problem. And if you are looking for a new set of tires, make sure to schedule an appointment. 

Wax Your Bodywork Well

The best protection for your paintwork is a coating of good wax or paint sealant. This glossy, protective barrier prevents thrown-up grit and sand from scratching the paint. It’s best to apply your wax or sealant before the first snowfall in early winter.

Don’t Drive While They’re Gritting

Avoid driving when the roads are layered with fresh grit and salt. This shouldn’t be too inconvenient as in Connecticut; the gritting trucks work overnight to avoid traffic, usually between 7 pm and 4 am. So you’ll find the grit thickest on the roads if you’re out driving late in the evening or very early in the morning.

Use Antifreeze Coolant and Washer Fluid

If the water in your engine freezes and expands, it could burst the radiator. So make sure you have good quality antifreeze in your engine’s cooling system. To double-check the quality of your antifreeze, you can purchase an antifreeze tester at any car parts store.

Your windshield wipers are also essential with the snowy, rainy, and foggy weather that Connecticut winters bring. You don’t want to see them frozen up. You don’t want to hit the washer fluid button while driving and have a sudden splash of opaque ice all over your windshield. Use antifreeze washer fluid, which can even help defrost your windshield in the mornings.

Check Your Car Battery

Few things are more unpleasant than getting stuck in freezing weather with a dead car battery. The 12V batteries we use in our vehicles are put under a lot of strain by cold and damp weather. Check that your battery is starting up the engine without trouble. It might be time for a new one if it’s showing signs of struggling, even after recharging.

Those chilly Connecticut winters can wreak havoc on our rides, but these tips will help ensure your car survives. When you’re prepared for the coming winter, pay a visit to DARCARS INFINITI of Greenwich for your vehicle purchasing, servicing, and financing needs.

Tags: Driving in Winter Weather, Protect you car from the Snow
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