Whenever the seasons change, so should your driving style and vehicle maintenance routine if you wish to stay safe and extend the life of your car. Many people buy Honda Civics for their excellent fuel economy and reliability in all kinds of weather. Honda Civic engines, if maintained property and treated correctly, can last well over 150,000 miles, if not over 200,000.
Winter Driving
Before you even start driving on a cold winter day, you need to give your car a chance to warm up. Warming up the car doesn’t mean heating the inside so that you are more comfortable when you begin to drive, although it is a nice fringe benefit. Turning on your car and idling for a few minutes before taking off will help the oil thin and circulate properly. Once you are driving, if you find that your car is skidding on an icy spot, ease off of the accelerator but do not slam on the break. As you are skidding, stay calm and turn the wheel in the direction you would like to go, making sure not to over correct. When you need to stop, plan ahead and gently apply pressure to the brakes. Regardless of the weather, you should always give yourself space between your car and the car in front of you. During the winter, double that distance. This will give you more time to react thoughtfully instead of slamming on the brakes.
Summer Driving
For many families, summer driving equals vacation driving. And no matter how efficient Honda Civic engines are, the heat, heavy load, and long distances can test even the best engines. Before any summer road trip, check your car’s tires, making sure that all five (remember the spare) have the correct air pressure. The cooling system is especially important in the hot and humid weather, so check coolant levels regularly.
If you adjust your drive to the seasons, your car will have many more seasons ahead of it.
