Avoid These Common Winter Car Care Mistakes In Oklahoma

Statistics are already showing that the majority of people are planning on driving to their holiday destinations this year. According to a study done by Extreme Terrain, three in every four families are planning on hitting the roads this year instead of flying.

Whether you're driving across the country or just driving to work, it's important to take extra good care of your vehicle during the winter. And, let's face it, here in Oklahoma, we just aren't used to wintery weather.

In fact, there are a few common misconceptions about how to care for your car in the wintertime that we've all been doing wrong. Here are better ways for you to take care of your car in Oklahoma this winter.

Common winter weather prep mistakes Oklahomans make that could damage your car.

We've all been there - when we're rushing to leave, but the defrost button isn't working fast enough, and you have to get on the road right now. You may have tried throwing hot water on the windshield or trying to scrape the ice off with anything that seems flat enough.

However, you're risking cracking the glass on your windshield by throwing hot water on an extremely cold surface. And if you don't have a proper ice scraper, your best bet is to use a plastic blade to keep from scratching the glass yourself.

And let's not forget about the tires. Here in Oklahoma, we usually don't use snow tires because... it's Oklahoma! When was the last time you saw heavy snow on the roads? But the all season tires are not cut out for slick, icy surfaces, especially if the tread is worn and they aren't aired properly.

Save yourself the cost of an accident by checking the air, replacing worn tires, or consider actual snow tires if you think they're worth the investment.

The hardest riddle to solve in Oklahoma's winter season: how to defrost your car.

Everyone has experienced it at least once: trying to defrost your car and it never going the way you expect. So, here's the trick to defrosting your car, according to Google.

Always make sure to turn the heat on slowly and gradually increase it. And one of the most important steps: use both defrost options for both the front and the rear windshields.

@forrealdummies Video about how to use your cars defroster to see what’s in front of you when you can’t see##defroster##car##dummy##cardefroster##foggywindow ♬ original sound - forrealdummies

Lastly, if you're starting your car and letting it run for 20 minutes, you're actually wasting fuel and it could be considered illegal in some places across the U.S. Instead, you can heat up your car within 30 to 60 seconds and allow the cabin to warm up gradually.

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Oklahoma Cold Weather Checklist

Those first big cold fronts always seem to catch Oklahoma by surprise. In one big swoop, the nearly 100° days turn into sudden freezes overnight. We'll still have warm days here and there throughout winter, but now is as good a time as now to start on your cold weather checklist. Easy small tasks that add up to bother energy savings and comfort in the home. They'll also allow you to avoid the big headaches and repair bills that happen so frequently in our bipolar climate.

Gallery Credit: Kelso

Oklahoma Winter Weather Vehicle Checklist

Whether you're driving across town or across the state, Oklahoma's winter weather has the potential to make your trip an unforgettable experience. While we focus mainly on the summer season conditions--not driving during the heat of the day, road surface temp, etc...--the winter here is just as concerning. Here's a quick rundown on the stuff you should check before braving the frigid cold in the Sooner State.

Gallery Credit: Kelso

Source: Oklahoma Winter Car Prep: Best Tips to Protect Your Vehicle

Filed Under: Texoma News, Texoma Events, Texoma Weather

Categories: Lawton News, Oklahoma News