ROANOKE, Va. – Your car must be in tip-top shape for the winter, especially with our recent snowstorms.
10 News spoke with a local mechanic to know the ins and outs of keeping your car safe.
First, let’s address the controversial question of whether you should let your car warm up.
Driven Automotive Owner Klint Claiborne said it’s important to start the car about five to ten minutes before driving.
“What that does is it helps with the oil being so thick during the wintertime. It also helps with the carbon buildup as most people don’t drive a long distance enough to break up carbon. So that little start-up in the morning will help you break up that carbon, warm the oil up, warm your car up as well so you don’t want to get into a cold car and then it will help the drivability of the car,” said Claiborne.
He also said you must pop the hood to check your coolant, brake fluid, oil level and battery.
“You can check your battery by going to your local automotive store. Having them check the battery because that will go dead when it’s cold very cold outside,” said Claiborne.
He said the number one mistake he sees with people is with their tires.
Claiborne said you really need to check your tread depth. One way you can do this is with a penny.
“There’s an old trick with a penny where if you can see the top of Abraham Lincoln’s hair then you need to replace your tires,” said Claiborne.
He also said to make sure your headlights are working properly.
Meanwhile, driving during the winter can be dangerous.
Clairborne said one thing you can do is increase your driving range.
“Usually, you want to keep a two to three car distance between each car. Slowly press on your brakes. Don’t press on them hard. Don’t just panic and step on them hard because then that would cause you to slide and slip,” said Claiborne.
If you do skid, don’t step on the brakes hard. Instead, you want to lightly step on the brakes and let off and keep your steering wheel straight.
“Always look at where you’re going because where you’re looking is where you’re going to actually point to go,” said Claiborne.
He also said that you should have gas in your car.
“At least a half a tank I say that way it keeps your fuel pump at a good range, and it also keeps you in that safe zone where you can make it to a gas station if you have to travel,” said Claiborne.