Preparing Your Mom's Car for Winter Weather
Your mom still drives. Have you had her car winterized? Now’s the time to get her car ready for winter driving. Here are the things you should focus on.
Elder Care in Wilmette IL: Preparing Mom’s Car for Winter
Have the Battery Tested.
Check the battery and its terminals. You don’t want it to drain on a bitterly cold night and have your mom unable to start her car. See if the battery is holding a charge. If not, replace it.
Get a Mechanic to Check All Belts and Hoses.
Over time, belts and hoses may crack or stretch out from wear. Have them checked before winter’s bitter cold temperatures lead to problems with breaks and cracks.
Stock the Trunk With Necessities.
No one wants to slide off the road, but it can happen. If your mom is stuck and help won’t reach her for a few hours, she needs to be prepared. Blankets, a change of clothes, non-perishable foods, flares, a flashlight or candles, and a shovel should be placed in her trunk or in the backseat of her car. If her car doesn’t already have a snow/ice scraper and brush in it, make sure you add one.
Kitty litter or some sand are also worth adding to the trunk. If she’s just stuck, with a shovel and kitty litter or sand to add traction, she may be able to get the car moving again.
Switch Over to Winter Tires.
Summer or all-season tires are not good enough in areas where the snow gets heavy. Have winter tires installed on your mom’s car. Studs can also be helpful in icy conditions. Talk to your mom’s mechanic for advice on the best tires for her needs.
Have the Antifreeze Checked.
To make sure that your mom’s radiator lines don’t freeze up and cause the engine to overheat, check the antifreeze. If it’s old and isn’t going to protect against bitter cold, have the fluid drained and replaced with new fluid. Check the owner’s manual to see if a flush is necessary, too.
Make Sure the Windshield Fluid Can Handle Colder Temps.
If your mom’s windshield is covered in salty, dirty road slush, she needs to be able to clear it for optimal vision. If the windshield fluid freezes in the lines, it’s a problem. Make sure the windshield washer fluid is rated for the lowest temperatures in your mom’s area.
The buddy system is another good way to make sure your mom is safe when driving in the winter. Instead of letting your mom drive around on her own, hire an elder care professional to take her to appointments. If anything happens, your mom has someone else there to make sure she’s safe until help arrives. Learn more about companionship services by calling an us today.
If you or an aging loved one are considering elder care in Wilmette, IL, contact the caring staff at Companion Services of America today at (847) 943-3786. Our home care service area includes Northbrook, Highland Park, Deerfield, Glenview, Buffalo Grove, Evanston, Des Plaines, Skokie, Lake Forest, Wilmette and the surrounding areas.
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