The North Dakota Department of Transportation maintains over 3,000 vehicles during the winter, and has some tips on how you can keep your vehicle winter ready:
- Batteries are much weaker in cold weather, so keep your vehicle’s battery fully charged.
- Tires should have M+S or All Season tread and be in good condition.
- Brakes should be checked and serviced if necessary. Even braking on all four wheels will lessen the chance of skids on slippery roads.
- Make sure your vehicle’s exhaust system has no leaks. Carbon monoxide is a silent killer and can accumulate quickly in closed vehicles.
- Make sure your wiper blades are in good condition. Keep the windshield washer reservoir filled with antifreeze solvent.
- Check the radiator, heater core and all hoses that carry anti-freeze solution to see that they are in good condition and free of leaks. Also check to see that the solution is good to at least 40 below zero.
- Make sure you have winter weight oil (usually 5W-30) in the engine.
- Emergencies can happen when you least expect them, so be sure to carry a winter survival kit in your vehicle.
