No matter what it is you intend to haul with your car or truck, it is important that your towing vehicle is in tip-top shape. This importance is especially heightened during the winter season, when Melbourne experiences a vast array of unpredictable, inclement weather conditions like snow, ice, hail, and freezing rain. Whether you own a car, sports utility vehicle, van, or truck, there are plenty of things you can do to boost the performance of your vehicle before you choose to tow any kind of cargo.

Continue reading to learn what you need to do to improve the performance and overall safety of your towing vehicle, and where you can get help with towing.

Car Care is a Top Priority for Winter Towing

In order for your towing vehicle to perform safely and optimally, you must stay current on all factory scheduled maintenance. This includes routine fluid changes, inspections, tune ups, filter changes, tire service, brake service, and much more. When it comes to winter driving, there are some key car care points to focus on more than the others. To combat harsh winter weather conditions, and remain safe and efficient on the road, your winter car maintenance To-Do list should include a heightened focus on tires, brakes, automotive fluids, and windshield wipers.

Windshield Wipers and Wiper Fluid

Winter poses all sorts of unanticipated precipitation, such as ice, snow, and freezing rain. For this reason, it is vital that your visibility remains vivid at all times while driving. This is especially important when hauling something behind you. Be sure that your vehicle’s windshield wipers are in good condition, and ready to take on the winter weather. But do not stop there. Take it a step further by keeping your windshield wiper fluid filled at all times, and keep an extra bottle in your vehicle for emergency re-fill needs. Do not forget about your back windshield too.

Automotive Fluids

A car or truck performs best when it is topped off with all its proper automotive fluids. In the winter, between the cold temperatures and extreme climate, your vehicle needs its lubricants and fluids more than ever. For more power, control, comfort, and safety, be sure all of your car’s fluids are filled, and stay filled. The 7 car fluids include battery fluid, power steering fluid, coolant (radiator fluid/anti-freeze), motor oil, brake fluid, transmission fluid, and as mentioned, windshield wiper fluid.

Tire Care

Your tires are the first and only point of contact with the winter roads. Better navigate salty, slushy, snowy, wet, or icy roads with premium tires that are well-maintained. Not only will improved tire care enhance your vehicle’s performance in wintry conditions, but it will also give you more power and control when towing cargo behind you. Be sure to get your tires rotated, balanced, and kept at the proper tire pressure at all times. Also be sure you have good tire tread before hitting the road. Refer to your owners’ manual for factory recommendations for your car’s tires.

Car Brakes

Your brakes are arguably the most vital safety feature of your vehicle. When towing especially, it is critical to have full braking capabilities. Add in winter weather conditions, and you can see why proper brake care are so important for safe driving and safe towing. Have your car brakes inspections annually, and opt for brake pad replacements and caliper upgrades prior to winter.