Reno has already seen snowfall this year and this winter may be particularly harsh. The National Weather Service (NWS) has predicted a 55% chance of a “strong” El Niño from January to March 2024, which can result in higher-than-average snowfall. To make sure that your vehicle is ready for harsh winter driving in Reno, Lerner and Rowe’s Reno car accident lawyer shares crucial tips on preparing your car for inclement weather.
5 Tips for Winter Driving in Reno
Whether your travels keep you within Reno or you plan on taking regular trips to popular ski destinations like Mt. Rose, Northstar California Resort, Sugar Bowl Resort, or Palisades Tahoe, it’s important to make sure that your automobile is ready for snow, ice, and sleet. Taking the time to prepare now can help you avoid a car crash that can result in traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, catastrophic injuries, and more.
Our Reno injury lawyer strongly recommends the following:
1) Get a Multipoint Vehicle Inspection
Auto repair shops offer multipoint car inspections that are a fantastic way to prepare your car for winter driving in Reno. During these inspections, a mechanic will check your car’s battery, brakes, steering, suspension, tires, and more. This is a great way to learn if any of your vehicle’s components need replacing or repair. Getting an inspection before winter is in full swing can help make sure you’re not stranded on a snow-filled road.
2) Check Your Car’s Tire Pressure Throughout the Winter
Lower temperatures will lower your automobile’s tire pressure. If your vehicle’s tire pressure is too low then you may have difficulty controlling it, since under-inflated tires increase stopping distance and decrease stability, especially on icy and snowy roads. Most tire shops check your tire pressure and provide air for free, so be sure to stop by several times throughout the winter. Making sure that you have properly inflated tires is an easy way to lower your chances of a Reno winter car wreck.
3) Change Your Vehicle’s Windshield Wipers
Snow, hail, and sleet are brutal on windshield wipers. Installing a fresh set of wipers before winter truly begins is a simple way to increase your safety. Fresh windshield wipers will help improve your range of visibility, especially during heavy snow storms. Many Reno winter car crashes happen because a driver’s view is limited by precipitation. A new set of windshield wipers can help you avoid such an accident.
4) Consider Using Snow Tires
While all-weather tires are great for many drivers, people that drive to places with heavy snow–such as most towns around Lake Tahoe–or people that have rear-wheel drive cars with internal combustion engines should consider changing to winter tires. Winter tires have more grip and traction, which can make a tremendous difference in handling when roads are covered with ice and snow.
5) Monitors Your Car’s Fluid Levels
Making sure that your car’s fluids are topped off and adding winterized versions of fluids is a must for winter driving in Reno. The six key fluids to monitor are engine oil, antifreeze, transmission fluid, power steering fluid, brake fluid, and cold-weather windshield-washer fluid. Some people make the mistake of using diluted glass cleaner instead of winterized washer fluid. This can result in ice forming on your windshield, limiting your vision and leading to a crash.
Contact a Reno Car Crash Lawyer Near Me
The Reno personal injury lawyer at Lerner and Rowe hopes that you follow the five safety tips above. Simple preventative actions you take now can greatly reduce your chances of a Reno winter car accident. Unfortunately, some winter collisions and crashes happen no matter how well you’ve prepared. If you’ve been injured in an accident caused by other parties then contact us for immediate assistance.
You can reach our Reno car accident staff 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by phone at 844-977-1900 and through the Internet via secure contact form or LiveChat. Consultations are free and you don’t pay a cent unless a settlement has been recovered on your behalf.
Lerner and Rowe Injury Attorneys has a proven track record of winning billion-dollar results for injury victims across America. Furthermore, our team is committed to helping clients carry the emotional burden of their injuries–a big reason why we’ve garnered stellar reviews from our clients. Don’t forget that one call does it all. A call to Lerner and Rowe may be the most important one you’ll ever make.