4 Tips for Winter Car Care in Colorado

Taking care of your car through the seasons will help set your car up for success, maintaining it’s value and keeping you safe. The Colorado winters are no joke, so being serious about caring for your car during these cold months is an important part of being a Colorado driver. Here is how our team at Scott’s Auto recommend you care for your car during this Colorado winter. 

4 Tips for Winter Car Care in Colorado

1. Get Snow Tires

One of the best things you can do for your car when you live in a snowy state is to switch over to snow tires for the winter. Driving on snowy or icy roads is not the time to think about getting snow tires, rather, it’s important to know about them before the weather hits. Since we’re already in the middle of winter though, it’s not too late to switch before the next wintry storm. 

Snow tires are uniquely designed to help with traction in the snowy and icy weather. The main components on snow tires are the rubber composition, tread depth and pattern, and biting edges. Firestone explains these key components:

• Rubber composition: snow tires are made with a special rubber that works best in the colder air. This rubber is made to stay soft and pliable when the weather is cold so your tires maintain adequate grip and traction. The rubber in all-weather tires stiffens in the cold, which reduces traction. 
• Tread depth and pattern. Snow tires have deeper tread depths than regular tires. These deeper tread depths improve traction and lessen snow buildup. Further, they also have unique tread patterns that help prevent hydroplaning by efficiently moving water through the tread. 
• Biting edges. Snow tires have zig-zag grooves covering their tread, which act as biting edges to grip the road in snow or ice.

2. Have an Emergency Kit

If you are going to be traveling in the cold weather, you should have your car equipped with an emergency kit just in case. In the winter, you should keep an emergency kit that has: 

• Blankets, coats, and other warm clothes in case you are stranded
• Ice scraper and snow brush
• Flashlight and batteries 
• Jumper cables 
• First aid kit 
• Bottled water
• Tools
• Road flares or reflective triangles
• Windshield cleaner 
• A bag of sand to help with traction
• Folding snow shovel
• Tire chains and tow strap
• Winter boots
• Sleeping bag
• Hand warmers 
• Paper maps
• Phone chargers 
• And more! 

If you find yourself stranded in bad weather, you will be glad to have an emergency kit. While it might seem like a lot to have in your car, it’s important to have if you know you will be driving in snow or ice. 

3. Don’t Drive in Bad Weather

It may seem obvious, but don’t drive in bad weather. If you are planning a trip, keep an eye on what the weather is doing on the days you plan to leave and then when you plan to drive back home. If the weather is bad, stay put until officials have time to clear the roads. 

4. Increase Travel Time 

Lastly, if you have to drive when the weather isn’t the best, be sure that you increase your travel time. You don’t want to be driving on ice in a rush. Slow down, and be sure you give yourself plenty of time to get to where you need to be safely. 

Call Scott’s Auto

If you need car help in the winter, call our team at Scott’s Auto. With three convenient locations in Fort Collins, Loveland, and Montrose, we’re here for you — no matter the season.