• by Montgomery Miller
•  February 15th, 2021

Be Ready for Rough Weather

We rarely think of Texas as having harsh winters, yet February often brings icy road conditions to Austin. Although January on average is the coldest month for Austin, February comes in a close second with an average low of 44.0°F. Overnight lows can bring freezing rain, sleet and very icy conditions, especially in the early morning hours. Here are a few smart tips on preparing for colder weather driving and icy road conditions.

Have Your Car Serviced for Winter Conditions. Battery power decreases as the temperature drops, meaning that it takes more power to start your car in the winter. If your battery is already having problems, your risk of breaking down increases. It is recommended that your auto care provider installs a battery at or above 600 CCA for optimal winter performance.

Have your cooling system checked out. Keeping a ratio between 50/50 and 70/30 of antifreeze to water will protect your system from freezing. Your technician will know which antifreeze is best for your vehicle.

Your brakes should be in very good condition. Although cold weather isn’t likely to damage your brakes, their performance in slippery or icy conditions are essential to your safety while driving in potentially icy conditions.

Have your service technician inspect you belts, hoses, spark plugs, wires and cables. Corrosion and normal wear and tear can shorten the life of these items at any time of year, but if they fail during colder winter weather, you could end up getting stranded in dangerous conditions for an extended period of time.

While winter tires might not generally be necessary in Austin, it’s makes good sense to be sure your tires are properly inflated to the correct pressure.

Be vigilant about checking weather condition both at night before bed and in the morning before hitting the road. If a cold front is coming through, a sudden drop in temperature can lead to icy conditions that would affect traction.

Make sure your wiper blades are in good condition and that your wipers are functioning properly. You’ll need them to maintain visibility in colder weather. Be sure your washer fluid is filled with the correct washer fluid for colder weather.

Check your front and rear defroster to be sure they’re working properly. Even without ice or snow, a frosted windshield will drastically reduce your visibility.

Test your blinkers and emergency lights and consider keeping a winter safety kit on hand with key items like a flashlight, jumper cables, road flares, orange reflectors and a pair of gloves.

Have your mobile phone fully charged and always keep you gas take at least half full.