You might have noticed that it has been raining constantly
in Jacksonville for the past few days due to tropical storm Debby. I thought this
would be the perfect time to give you some tips on how to make sure your
vehicle is prepared for rough weather.
Sometimes it is the simplest things that make the biggest
difference to your safety. Take wiper
blades, for instance. While most people
never give them a second thought, wiper blades are one of the most essential
components to keeping you and your family safe while traveling in heavy weather.
Experts say that in order to achieve maximum efficiency out of your wipers that
they need to be replaced every 6 to 12 months. This ensures that you have clear
visibility of the road in all situations that you may come across. When was the
last time you replaced your wipers?
The second thing most people seem to neglect on their
vehicle is checking their brake lights and head lights. Most people don’t have
a clue that their lights are out until it’s too late. Have a friend or relative
step out of the vehicle and check your brake lights, turn signals, and
headlights to make sure they are working properly. If you find that one of your bulbs isn’t
working, take your vehicle to your local auto parts store and replace them
immediately.
Tires are another element that all too many people take for
granted. Tires are engineered to help
you stay on the road in slippery situations. The problem is that they don’t last
forever. Depending on the brand and
tread of your tires, most experts suggest you replace your tires every 35,000-50,000
miles. It is also essential that you
have tires rotated every 10,000 miles to insure even tread wear. Having the
proper tires fitted to your vehicle can help performance, steering, and
braking. This is one component of your car that you shouldn’t neglect. The last thing you want to wind up doing is
entrusting the safety of you and your family to tires that are badly worn when
the next storm hits.
Just remember, when the weather turns ugly, it’s already too
late to start thinking about weatherproofing your ride. With hurricane season already in full swing,
take the time to make sure your vehicle is ready to ride out any storm. Because it isn’t a matter of if but when bad
rather rears its ugly head in the Sunshine State. Be prepared and stay safe.
Kicklighter Auto Sales, the Jacksonville Used Cars Specialist.
