While falling snow may look pretty, it can also be pretty dangerous for drivers. Winterizing your vehicle is a good precaution as it can save you money on car repairs and help you stay safe while on the road. If you own a car, here are some tips to get it winter-proof if you haven't already. Links: Visit our Auto page to explore current rates and learn more about GAP and MRC coverage for your vehicleCheck out TCU University for financial education tips and resources! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter! Learn more about Triangle Credit Union Transcript: Welcome to Money Tip Tuesday from the Making Money Personal podcast. Roads often become slippery during the winter months. To counteract this, consider putting winter tires on your vehicle. You can use all-season tires during the winter, but when it gets cold, the rubber in these tires hardens, decreasing the grip on the road. Winter tires use a special compound that can resist the cold and won't harden. Winter tires also have better traction in snowy and icy road conditions, which means that they have better acceleration and are better at stopping than all-season tires. However, winter tires can be costly. Winter tires can cost over $600, plus you'll have to pay for the tire-swapping fees unless you do it yourself. A cheap alternative is putting chains on your tires to help with traction. Regardless of what tires your car has, you'll want to check the tire pressure. Tire pressures drop 1 pound per square inch, or PSI for short, every 10 degrees Fahrenheit. You can check the correct tire pressure for your car in the manual or on the car door jamb. Another way to get your car winter-ready is to have the battery tested. Your car battery is essential for starting your car. Colder temperatures can affect the chemicals in the battery, which may result in a car having trouble starting or not starting at all. Consider buying a portable jump starter for your vehicle in case your car doesn't start due to low temperatures. Next, you'll want to make sure you have good visibility while driving. Check your windshield wipers to see if they are working properly, and don't leave smudge marks on your windshield. Fill up your windshield wiper fluid too. You can also get a hydrophobic repellant to add to your windshield, making scraping ice and snow off your car windows easier. Headlights are another thing to consider when winterizing your car. Snow can cause limited visibility when driving, but having a good set of headlights can help you see better, especially during the dark hours of winter. If you've noticed that your headlights aren't as bright as they used to be, you should get a headlight restoration kit or replace them altogether. You should have a winter emergency kit in your car. If you get stranded with your vehicle, this kit will help you get back on your drive or at least keep you comfortable while waiting for help to arrive. In this kit, you should include a snow shovel, a snow broom, an ice scraper, a portable jump starter, warm clothing, including hats and gloves, blankets, a first-aid kit, a basic tool kit, traction mats, and flashlights. If you're considering buying a car that's more suitable for winter, look for one that has 4-wheel drive or all-wheel drive instead of front-wheel drive. Vehicles with 4-wheel drive and all-wheel drive provide better traction on icy roads than front-wheel drive vehicles. If you decide to buy a more winter-proof car, Triangle Credit Union offers auto loans tailored to fit your ride. If you get into an accident, Guaranteed Asset Coverage, or GAP coverage, is designed to reduce or eliminate the difference between the insurance settlement and the loan balance. This protects you from owing more than the vehicle is worth. Mechanical Repair Coverage, or MRC, can help limit unexpected, covered repairs as your vehicle ages, potentially saving you thousands of dollars. If you’re interested in either one of these coverages, contact the credit union or visit your local branch to learn more. If there are any other tips or topics you'd like us to cover, let us know at tcupodcast@trianglecu.org. Also, remember to like and follow our Making Money Personal Facebook and Instagram to share your thoughts. Finally, remember to look for our sponsor, Triangle Credit Union, on Facebook and LinkedIn. Thanks for listening to today's Money Tip Tuesday. Check out our other tips and episodes on the Making Money Personal podcast.
