Christmas Countdown: Winter Travel
Posted by Lorin Drinkard / Monday, December 5th, 2011
Monday, December 5, 2011
'Tis the season to travel. / Photo courtesy: Shutterstock/egd
With relatives to visit, trees to buy, Christmas parties to attend and skating to do, the holidays are, well, packed, to say the very least. A lot of the time you’ll spend motoring to and from events will probably cover the congested highways and byways of NoVA. And as the winter months dip lower and lower on the cold scale, it’s important to have your car/SUV/minivan prepped and ready to face anything the soon-to-be-snowy months can bring.
Thanks to Debbi Mayster of Virginia Tire and Auto, winner of Tire Review’s 2011-2012 “Top Shop of North America” award, we have some handy-dandy tips to keeping you and loved ones on the road and out of (car) trouble.
Before you hit the road:
1) Check your tire tread. If it’s been awhile since you’ve had your tires looked at/replaced, don’t forget this crucial element to auto maintenance. Low tread means less traction on any icy roads, which means a possible not-so-good consequences should you hit a slippery patch on the road. At least 2/32″ of depth is what the National Highway Transportation Safety Board recommends.
2) Make sure wipers – and fluid – are winter-friendly. With all the potential branches and snowfall that could be falling on your windshield and blocking your line of vision, it’s recommended to ensure wiper blades are working smoothly. If not, stop by your local auto repair shop and have them replaced with winter blades. Also, switching out your spring/summer fluid for a heavy-duty winter fluid like this one promises protection from freezing down to 20 degrees below zero.
3) Confirm the freezing point on anti-freeze. “You want antifreeze to be at -34 degrees,” says Mayster. Many auto shops have special winter car maintenance deals going on now or can check this out for free. By keeping the anti-freeze at the correct level and freshness (every two years or 30,000 miles), you’ll keep your ride working smoothly and your engine corrosion-free.
If cars could speak ... / Photo courtesy: Shutterstock/Local Favorite Photography
As you go:
Keep in mind this easy-to-remember expression: “Driving in the snow, take it slow.”
By keeping these tips in mind, your annual trip home for the holidays can be a little less stressful and a ton more joy-filled.
Next up: Love Christmas tunes? Then visit our blog tomorrow for all the latest info on NoVA’s caroling, concerts and more. Plus, a post about great seasonal day trips and gift ideas for those travel bugs in your life.
–Lorin Drinkard
Tags: car, car trips, christmas, Christmas Countdown, Christmas tree, Debbie Mayster, holiday, ice skating, Lorin Drinkard, Northern Virginai, Northern Virginia Magazine, nova mag, road trips, The Game Plan, Travel, traveling, Virginia Tire and Auto, winter traveling