The back to school craze has passed, and the days are beginning to shorten – winter is on its way. With winter getaways and holiday travel on the horizon, October is the ideal time to prepare for winter travel. And with consumers taking on more and more do it yourself projects, the team at AutoPartsWarehouse.com has compiled a list of the Top SKI-IY Projects for the Winter Season to prepare for those upcoming ski trips, snowboarding trips, and beyond. Some of these are simple DIY projects, others require a skilled DIY-er, but all can be accomplished with parts that are easily purchased online.
According to AutoPartsWarehouse.com, consumers are not only racking up significant savings by doing their own DIY projects - 60% report saving over $500 annually – but are also reporting they are increasingly taking advantage of buying parts online to save money and compare prices.
AutoPartsWarehouse.com’s Top SKY-IY Projects for the Winter Season
(Before attempting any vehicle service or repair, consumers should always consult their vehicle owner’s manual)
1. Winter Tires / Snow Chains / Snow Cables - Whether a vehicle is front wheel drive, rear wheel drive, or all-wheel drive, preparing tires for tough winter weather is a must. For temperatures consistently below 45 degrees, and in environments with ice, snow, and slush, regular all-weather tires just won’t cut it. Winter tires are specifically designed with unique tread patterns and of special compounds to improve traction and braking response in wet and snowy conditions. Since they are designed for cold weather conditions, snow tires are best removed as conditions improve. Most snow tire users keep a second set of wheels and tires in the garage so swapping is easy and convenient. For a climate more like Southern California, having a set of snow chains or cables on hand is critical for trips where there might be snow on the highway. In rough weather conditions, highway patrol or DOT regularly restrict driving without snow tires, or chains / cables. Most chains or cables have a maximum safe speed and can damage the car or chains/cables if the maximum safe speed is exceeded. Those who haven’t installed chains or cables before, should do a test install in the driveway or garage before heading to the slopes.
2. Mud Flaps – Flaps offer a simple way to keep rocks and grit off the paint, and many mud flaps install in minutes using simple hand tools, and require no cutting or drilling.
3. Auxiliary Lighting – For the avid skier and snowboarder, getting up in the dark and long drives to the slopes are routine. Packing up the car and getting to the destination can be greatly simplified with some extra lighting. Lighting can be installed in many different positions on the front of a vehicle including existing fog light openings in the bumper or grill, or via an accessory light bar. Many auxiliary lights include factory style connectors, relays and switches to make installation easy and clean.
4. Floor & Cargo Mats – Mats inside and in the cargo area are an easy way to protect the vehicle interiors from mud, muck, and snow, and need no installation. Having a special “winter set” in a darker color is a good idea.
5. Trailer Hitch, Roof Mounted Rack or Basket – Utilizing a roof rack, trailer hitch, or mounted basket to stow bulky skis, snowboards, coolers, etc. helps keep car interiors clean, maximizes hauling capacity and can also ensure safer driving by eliminating blind spots caused by blocked rear window views. If the vehicle has an existing hitch or rack rails, mounting should be easy, and they can be removed after the trip. If the vehicle doesn’t have a hitch or rack, adding one can be a simple bolt-on or clamp-on project. Most vehicles have mounting points designed into their chassis or frame for installing a hitch. Consumers should review their owner’s manual for specific details. .
Read the other 5 tips at the full article.
About AutoPartsWarehouse.com
Established in 1995, AutoPartsWarehouse.com is one of the nation's top online auto parts and accessories retailers and is dedicated to making it easy for consumers to save money by accessing auto parts online. AutoPartsWarehouse.com offers a comprehensive catalogue of over 2 million auto parts and accessories, to fit all domestic and foreign makes from top aftermarket manufacturers. AutoPartsWarehouse.com offers consumers free shipping on orders over $50 as well as flexible payment and extended warranty plans and options. The company has parts warehouses in markets throughout the U.S. enabling rapid shipping of parts. AutoPartsWarehouse is operated by U.S. Auto Parts Network, Inc., (Nasdaq: PRTS).
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