Preparing for winter is one of the most important parts of maintaining your vehicle. For Jeep owners, there are a few extra considerations if you’ll be taking your Jeep off-road this winter. Even if you’re sticking to the highway, preparation for winter will pay off in safety and peace of mind. Neoprene seat covers and sturdy custom floor mats are only the beginning. Here are five steps you should be sure to take to prepare a Jeep for winter.
Improve Brakes
Wet, icy and snowy conditions can be hazardous without a solid set of brakes. Check your brake fluid to be sure it’s at a good level and inspect your brakes for wear and tear.
For ultimate security, you can use brake kits to upgrade your Jeep’s brakes for more stopping power. This is especially important if you’ve upgraded your Jeep’s engine, as greater power and acceleration require better brakes for a clean stop. If you’re installing a brake kit yourself, be sure to check your work before winter sets in.
Get New Tires
New tires give essential traction on winter roads. Not only does this increase the safety of your vehicle in winter, but that extra grab takes pressure off of your engine and can improve long-term performance.
If you live in an area prone to snow accumulation, keep a pair of snow chains on hand. Be sure never to use snow chains if there isn’t an inch of snow accumulated on the road, as this can damage your tires.
New tires are a necessity for winter off-roading. The right off-roading tires absorb bumps from rocks and logs you may not be able to see under a layer of snow.
Build an Emergency Kit
While you may never find yourself in an emergency situation with your Jeep, it’s still better to have an emergency kit on hand than to go without. Here are the essentials to keep in your Jeep this winter:
- Spare warm clothing and blankets
- Jumper cables
- Water bottles
- Ready-to-eat food
- Flashlights
- Snow shovel and ice scraper
- A first aid kit
Keeping a well-stocked emergency kit is a smart idea, whether you’re off-roading or simply driving to visit family for the holidays. Unexpected blizzards strand thousands of cars on busy highways during winter.
Buy Seat Covers and Floor Mats
Keep your Jeep looking pristine with the right seat covers and floor mats. For the best protection, opt for covers and mats that are custom-cut to fit your Jeep. Neoprene is a great choice for seat covers as it’s comfortable, sleek, hard to tear and has waterproof properties.
Tonneau Cover for Cargo Protection
Lastly, take care of your truck bed with a new tonneau cover for winter. Even if you don’t plan on transporting valuable materials, a retractable tonneau cover protects the finish of your truck bed. There are even electric options that retract at the push of a button for ultimate convenience.
Jeep owners take pride in their vehicles and maintain high safety standards. It’s better to overprepare for winter hazards than risk your vehicle or your safety, so be sure to thoroughly follow these five tips.
