CarShield offers convenient solutions to seasonal driving pains.
Every new season brings something beneficial that we can all look forward to.
Spring gives warmer weather, summer has the longest days, fall gives beautiful views with the changing of the leaves, and winter brings the holiday season.
However, when the seasons change, it’s not always smooth sailing for car owners. Every seasonal transition brings its own unique set of challenges.
To get a better idea of what some of those pain points were, CarShield commissioned a survey of 2000 drivers and the results are insightful. For the most helpful impact, we’ve broken the information down by seasons and included some helpful hacks.
Spring
Spring can bring to mind thoughts of Easter rabbits and rainbows, but it is also accompanied by raincoats and umbrellas. For many, the spring season is the wettest time of the year, and this no doubt affects drivers.
Some of the best advice is to make sure that you have good windshield wipers before the rain hits. The ice buildup in the winter may have damaged or torn, your wiper blades.
This inhibits the windshield wipers from giving a completely clear view. It’s best to check and replace them before the spring wet weather arrives.
Spring is also a good time to check your vehicle’s coolant/antifreeze levels and inspect all belts and hoses. The harsh cold weather can cause these parts to crack, and once the hot days hit, they can begin to leak.
Take the time to peek under the hood and see if you can replace anything before it becomes an issue.
Summer
Summer is the season where drivers get behind the wheel most. Yet, the temps inside a hot car in the sun can reach painful levels.
In the survey response, 36% of drivers reported experiencing a burn from their hot seat belt clips.
When it comes to those searing seat belt clips, sometimes the easiest solution is to insert them back into the fastener before you walk away from your vehicle. This prevents the conductive metallic clips from absorbing all those sun rays and putting you at risk of a hot-handed situation.
It’s also a good idea to think about other seats in the car, especially if you have a child’s car seat in your vehicle. Take the time to cover it with a reflective shield or a blanket. This will keep your young copilots from unpleasant strap and buckle burns.
Fall
Fall is realistically the best time to drive. The changing of the leaves makes for great views, and the moderate temperatures make scenic driving adventures an ideal way to spend the weekend. However, the need for a jacket or other outerwear can lead to an inconvenience of its own.
In the survey, 44% of those polled responded that they had clothing get caught or ripped in the door. Which can really snag your plans as you get in the car. This is an ideal time to take care while entering your vehicle.
While you’re spending all that time in your car, change out your car’s emergency kit and check your car’s battery and tire tread as you prepare for the falling temperatures that inevitably turn bitter.
Winter
Winter is the absolute worst time to drive and 68% of the respondents agreed that they hate winter driving conditions.
Ice and snow make a mess of things and diminish drivers’ own confidence behind the wheel. And for good reason.
71% of survey participants reported narrowly avoiding an accident while driving on icy roads. The loss in traction is the major contributor to these icy incidents and drivers find some ways to work around them.
One of the ways drivers reported preparing for winter was to place heavy objects in their trunk to increase traction and pack kitty litter in their car in case they need to put it down for better grip on the road.
If you don’t have the luxury of covered parking, laying a beach towel across your windshield, and removing it before driving can quickly clear up your field of view with very little need for snow brushing or ice scraping.
You can do the same thing for the rear of your car, but also remember to clean snow/ice, salt and dirt off of your car’s backup camera so that you can still see when you are in reverse.
For a full set of recommendations for winter driving, CarShield has you covered with a full tip guide here.
No matter what season it is, the continuous change is what puts a strain on the vehicle itself. From the salt on wintery roads to the extreme heat conditions on one hundred plus degree days, our cars are under assault. Fortunately, once these conditions cause a part to fail, the car manufacturer’s warranty will typically replace the part.
However, 58% of the survey takers reported that their vehicles were no longer covered by the manufacturer’s warranty. Even more staggering was that 82% of them have had to pay for repairs out of pocket.
A great way to safeguard yourself against those expenses is to check out CarShield and see what options you have in getting your vehicle protected from mechanical breakdown.
No matter what season it is, the best hack is always the one that lets you save.
