Preparing Your Car for a Connecticut Winter
Preparing your car for a Connecticut winter requires patience and perseverance to ensure it survives the colder months. Winters can be tough on vehicles, especially if you live somewhere with heavy snowfall. Inclement weather poses safety hazards, so preparing your car for the colder months is essential. Additionally, a well-maintained vehicle has a lower risk of incurring severe damage, saving you money and peace of mind.
Preparing Your Car for a Connecticut Winter and the Hazards
Small steps, such as updating your CT car insurance, can make all the difference during the snowy season.
Update Your CT Car Insurance
Since the colder months pose different risks for drivers, you should update your auto insurance policy for winter. Storms can leave roads icy and treacherous, and low temperatures can impact your car’s performance. To start, you should upgrade to comprehensive and collision Connecticut auto insurance if you don’t already have it, as these policies offer the best protection. If you plan to keep your vehicle in your garage for most of the season, talk to your agency about storage car insurance in Norwich.
Test Your Battery
Lead-acid batteries rely on a chemical reaction to generate electricity. Since the cold can affect the efficiency of chemical reactions, you should keep an eye on your car battery during the winter. Most models have a measurement that indicates its performance during cold weather: cold cranking amps. If you need to replace your battery, choose an option with an adequate CCA rating.
Check Your Tire Pressure
As the temperature drops, tire pressure falls, leaving wheels underinflated. Low tire pressure means less control over your vehicle and increased tire wear, so you should check the pressure-per-square-inch if the temperature has fallen 10 degrees or more. Measuring PSI at home is relatively easy, and some tire stores offer free air checks and top-ups.
You may also want to change your wheels for snow tires before winter hits. That way, you’ll have more grip on icy roads.
Watch Your Gas Tank Levels
Did you know gas lines can freeze? Should this happen, your vehicle will come to a sudden stop. Keeping your gas tank at least half entire can prevent this situation.
Schedule a Tune-Up
Getting a winter tune-up ensures you don’t get stranded in the cold due to poor vehicle maintenance. When you take your car in, make sure the mechanic checks the following:
- Hoses
- Cables
- Belts
- Wires
- Spark Plugs
Look for the Right CT Car Insurance Company
Finding the right CT car insurance company can save you money and headaches in the long run. First, don’t be afraid to call around for a quote. Doing so lets you compare prices and gives you a feel for the insurance agency. Second, always look up customer reviews; remember that even stellar agencies may receive poor reviews for things beyond their control, so don’t discount an option for one or two bad ratings. That said, read the lowest-rated reviews to look for red flags.
About Byrnes Agency
At Byrnes Agency, we offer insurance solutions that can be tailored to meet your specific needs. Whether you’re looking for personal policies or commercial coverage, we have the right coverage for you. To learn more about our products, contact us today at one of our two locations.
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