Protecting Your Vehicles and Equipment From Winter Storm Damage

Winter storms can bring freezing temperatures, snow, ice and other hazardous conditions to communities across the country. Taking certain precautions in advance can help protect vehicles and equipment from winter storm damage.

Keeping vehicles fueled and full can reduce risks, such as condensation and clogged fuel lines. In addition, using engine block heaters and having a supply of ice-melting chemicals can help prevent vehicle breakdowns during winter storms.

Tires

The tires on your fleet vehicles play a critical role in their performance and safety. They’re the only contact point between your vehicle and the road, and are one of the most important factors in preventing accidents during winter storms.

A tire is a continuous band that encircles the wheel rim and forms a tread to roll on a road, prepared track or even the ground. While the design varies by manufacturer, most modern passenger tires are composed of a complex blend of different rubbers – natural and synthetic – plus a host of other construction materials.

Regardless of how new or old your tires are, you should inspect them before winter hits to ensure they’re ready for the cold. Check the tire’s tread depth, sidewall thickness and air pressure. Also, check the vehicle’s battery and antifreeze levels as freezing temperatures can strain them.

If possible, postpone non-essential travel during winter weather. If you must drive, be sure to keep an emergency car kit in your trunk and drive with caution on snowy or icy roads. Keep the gas tank at least half-full and stow blankets, extra water and food in the vehicle’s trunk.

The best way to prevent mechanical failures during a winter storm is to be proactive and have your vehicles serviced before the bad weather hits. This includes adjusting the fluid levels and adding a full-strength de-icer. It’s also a good idea to have a roof snow removal plan and ice dam removal system in place for your property. PuroClean can provide disaster restoration services to help protect your home from damage caused by winter storms. Call us today for a free estimate.

Windshields

The windshield (American English) or windscreen (British and Commonwealth English) is the front glass of a motor vehicle, aircraft, boat, bus, truck, motorcycle, car, or other vehicle. It offers visibility while protecting occupants from road debris and weather conditions. Modern windshields are typically made of laminated safety glass, which consists of two layers of tempered glass with a layer of plastic called polyvinyl butyral in between. This design makes it difficult for the windshield to shatter, which would otherwise lead to dangerous shards of glass flying around the cabin during an accident.

In addition to their safety features, modern windshields are also designed to protect passengers from UV rays by integrating tinted interlayers during the lamination process. The windshields of many vehicles are also wrapped in a material known as glass encapsulation, which helps to ensure that the windshield integrates seamlessly with the car’s frame.

Another important function of the windshield is to help keep the roof from buckling in case of a rollover. The windshield also helps to keep the airbags from ejecting the driver or passenger in the event of an accident by providing a rigid barrier between them and the interior of the vehicle.

It is easy to forget that a windshield is much more than just a sheet of glass. It’s a carefully engineered marvel that plays an integral role in the safety of all vehicle occupants. So, fasten your seatbelts and let’s take a closer look at how the windshield is built. The quest for the perfect windshield begins with impeccable flatness and purity, which is achieved through a groundbreaking technique called the Float Method. This allows manufacturers to produce large panels of glass with a flawless finish and unparalleled smoothness.

Windshield Wipers

A windshield wiper system is a critical component of your vehicle that helps maintain visibility for safe driving. But, not all windshield wipers are created equal and it’s important to know what to look for.

A common system consists of two synchronized radial-type arms with long rubber blades that are swung back and forth over the windshield, removing snow, rain, ice or other impediments to visibility. A washer fluid sprayer may also be connected to the arm and a button or switch on the dashboard is used to control it.

Windshield wiper systems require the right amount of pressure to remove snow, ice and other debris without leaving streaks or smudging your view. Wiper blades come in a variety of shapes, materials and construction that impact how well they conform to the windshield.

The ideal blade shape allows the arm to transfer the force of the motor directly to the wiper blade, ensuring uniform contact pressure across the surface of the windshield. Many of TRICO’s premium wiper blades feature an exclusive twin point coupler design, which improves the force transfer and optimizes the contact pressure between the wiper arm and blade.

A common alternative design, found on some Mercedes-Benz vehicles, utilizes a single wiper arm that sweeps out in an M-shaped pattern allowing for coverage of more area. This type of wiper is typically used on rear windows and the front of some SUVs.

Paint

Winter storms can do a lot of damage, especially in New England. Freezing temperatures, snow and ice accumulations, and icy roads are all threats that can cause serious problems for your vehicles. But they can also wreak havoc on your home’s paint, creating unsightly flaking and bubbling as well as mold or mildew. And when these issues are left unchecked, they may lead to wood rot or structural damage. To protect your paint from these dangers, you need to take some simple precautions. Premier Autos Detailing is here to help. Follow these tips to ensure that your vehicle and home’s paint are ready for the cold-weather.

Headlights

Your headlights are an essential part of your vehicle’s visibility, so it is important to know how to use them properly. Keeping them clean and in good working condition will also help you see better in wintery conditions.

Always use your headlights when visibility is low, especially at night or during a snowstorm. Make sure to use your high beams only when other drivers are nearby to avoid blinding them with glaring light. It is also a good idea to use your headlights when driving in fog or heavy rain.

Many newer vehicles have headlights that can be adjusted automatically. For these, look for a switch or dial located near the steering wheel and marked with a standard headlight indicator symbol. Turn the dial to the “on” position to activate the headlights.

Older headlights are usually fixed in one of two positions, either dipped or full (high). Dipped headlights are the brightest and can be used to illuminate the road ahead. They are angled lower than full headlights to prevent dazzle for other road users. They are best suited for urban or built-up areas where other vehicles are frequently encountered.

Full headlights are angled higher than dipped headlights to allow the driver to see further down the road. They can be used on unlit roads or in well-lit areas to help other road users see your vehicle.

You should periodically check your headlights to ensure that they are still in good working condition and that they are properly aligned. The headlights can become misaligned through wear and tear or as a result of a fender bender. You can test this by pulling your vehicle close to a garage wall or similar structure. Rotate the headlight control dial to each position, pausing at each to check how the lights shine on the surface.