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DRIVERS have been urged to avoid squandering cash on ‘winterizing’ their vehicles as temperatures start to plummet.
As the fall and winter months begin to bite, motorists will be keen to protect their cars against hazardous conditions.
A motors expert has urged drivers not to winterize their vehicles[/caption]
Some drivers, for example, won’t think twice before pulling out their wallet to winterize their vehicle.
However, according to one expert, motorists could be getting ripped off by signing up for the seasonal face lift.
“Winterizing your modern car―which used to be a given years ago―no longer applies,” a host from the Car Care Nut YouTube channel said.
“It’s a scam that often works on older drivers who remember the days of the car winterizing their old man used to do yearly.
“Today, the owner can easily DIY assess that the tires are suitable for the winter, have the appropriate pressure, and that their windshield wiper fluid is formulated for freezing temperatures.”
However, concerned motorists will be relived to hear that there are savvy alternatives which will be kinder to your car and your wallet.
SNOW WORRIES
Sonia Hobbs, group marketing director at motor retailer Harwoods Group, outlined ways people can better put themselves on alert.
She said: “Not all of us have been taught how to drive in the snow, so when winter comes around many of us aren’t prepared for a sudden bout of bad weather.
“The best thing you can do when the weather starts to become colder is to be as prepared as possible – this means planning for the bad weather before it comes around.”
She advised booking your car in for a winter health check “to make sure your vehicle is as safe to drive as possible”.
And she also advised on stocking up the motor with essentials, checking the battery and heating systems yourself – while also taking care to “drive carefully to avoid any accidents”.
Her five tips begin with checking your car before setting off on any journey, saying: “One of the worst things that can happen to you in bad weather is if you become stranded miles away from home due to a car fault.”
This should involve monitoring your car’s tyre pressure since these can often deflate more quickly in colder temperatures – while also making sure your car battery could cope with the extra stress chillier conditions can bring.
Her second recommendation is to invest in socks, though she added: “No, these aren’t for your feet – they’re for your tyres.
“Snow socks are a great, much-easier-to-install alternative to clunky chains and winter tyres – they provide traction on snow and ice, making driving in the snow safer and easier.”
How to avoid being scammed at the repair shop
Motorautocar and the AARP have east-to-follow tips to avoid being scammed by a repair shop.
- Motorautocar suggests asking to see parts that have been replaced or to see old fluids after they were swapped. If the shop says that’s impossible or refuses, it could be a sign it wasn’t done.
- Ask for a walkaround of the repairs that were done. Most mechanics are happy to show you what was done in the shop. While being walked around, look for evidence of repairs like the area being cleaned off, shiny new parts, tool marks on the bolts, tools being out or nearby, etc.
- Before taking your car in, look at other customer reviews on Google, Yelp, or Facebook. Many customers only review a company if they have negative reviews, so keep an eye out.
- For costly repairs, consider getting multiple opinions. If two to three shops suggest identical repairs, it’s likely to be true.
- Test a new shop with minor issues you’re aware of to see if they add anything to the repair bill.
- If applicable, bring someone to the shop who knows about cars to have them double-check or read a repair bill.
- Get everything on paper. Not only is it important for your repair records, but it can help protect you if legal measures are necessary.
Source: Motorautocar, AARP
The fabric of the snow socks wrapping around a tyre can help provide extra grip.
Tip three is to buy fresh windscreen wipers, to ensure the clearest view of the roads at all times – while also checking heating and cooling systems to help remove any snow, frost or ice.
Aside from technology, she also advised on giving yourself enough time between destinations – since many accidents are caused by people rushing, even before the added dangers of snow and ice.
She said: “At the beginning of your day, make sure your car has enough time to warm up and always make sure to give yourself enough time between destinations.
“If this means adding an extra 15 minutes to your commute, it’s better to be safe than sorry.”
And the essentials she recommends for stocking up are in case of emergency, to keep yourself safe if stranded or in an accident.
These include high-visibility items such as reflectors, extra-warm clothing, an ice scraper and tools to help jumpstart a dead battery.
