Car Care: Keeping your vehicle in good condition with upcoming cold snap

DELMARVA – Colder temperatures can present car troubles, but if you prepare ahead, that can be prevented.

Joshua Culley, manager of auto shop, Grease Monkey, said running a quick, at-home car inspection before the cold snap can make a difference. “Checking your wind shield wipers, making sure that your fluids are filled, things like that that can help you out when it’s cold,” he said.

That thick, pesky layer of frost on your windshield will make it hard to see while you’re driving. However, Culley says you should avoid pouring hot water on it, unless you want to pay the price.

“It will crack your windshield and that’s what we don’t want,” Culley said. ” I don’t know about you all, but I don’t have a free $500 to spend on a wind shield.”

And if you want to avoid buying a new pair of wheels, you should keep an eye on your tire pressure.

“Simple fact is, cold air makes the tire pressure go down, so you’ll see that light flicker on,” Culley said. “Don’t drive on a flat tire because you’ll be buying new tires.”

47 ABC WMDT spoke with some drivers who said they’ve already learned their lesson, and are monitoring their car’s health to prevent a scary situation.

“I’ve been broken down, I’ve also been in people’s yards, I’ve done 360’s on the ice, I’ve done it all,” Kim Deyunn said.

One tip Deyunn has for others, is to have adequate equipment in your trunk. “I have a scraper, I have a blanket, I have a box of protein drinks if I do get caught somewhere,” she said.