The recent cold front brought a massive flurry of problems including car crashes and campus closures. With students returning to Washburn, it’s important to maintain your vehicle amidst the freezing weather.
Captain James Anguiano of the Washburn Police Department has over 30 years of experience in law enforcement and has plenty of tips to keep folks safe from the extraordinarily cold Kansas winters.
“The most important thing is to make sure your battery is a good battery,” Anguiano said. “In cold weather, especially below zero, your battery tends to lose 50% of its life, so it’s a good idea to have your battery checked.”
Anguiano and other WUPD officers have already helped students jump multiple cars on Washburn’s campus since the semester started. He recommends going to an auto store in Topeka; they check car batteries to ensure they can keep up in harsh environments.
Another important tip Anguiano suggests is to always check the air pressure on tires as they tend to lose pressure in cold weather. HyVee and sometimes Discount Tire will offer free air for anyone in need.
Cameron Johnston, freshman auto service technician major at Washburn Tech, also offers tricks to help combat the winter weather.
“If you know that it might freeze or snow overnight, make sure the wiper blades are lifted from the windshield so they don’t get damaged by freezing to the windshield,” Johnston said.
Ice wreaks havoc on both car maintenance and driving abilities, so it’s important to properly handle frozen windshields and poor roads.
Johnston recommends checking the coolant mixture, being careful not to accidentally let an engine freeze up. He also advises using caution when driving in the snow and ice by maintaining a safe speed.
“A lot of people think it’s smarter to go slow than fast, but that’s how most people get stuck,” Johnston said.
The ice causes problems not only on the road but on the vehicles as well, especially the windows and mirrors. Some drivers in a rush will clear out a small patch on the front windshield so they can see just enough, however, this technique is not only ill-advised but also illegal.
Anguiano urges drivers to use an ice scraper to fully remove any obstructions on the windshield. Many drivers start their car early enough to defrost the entirety of the windshield, but this tactic doesn’t stand as a perfect solution. Unless the car has a remote start feature, leaving a started vehicle unattended is against the law. Anguiano also said the police department sees an increase in car theft around this time of year due to this tactic.
Driving in the cold weather can be tedious and possibly dangerous, but using caution and staying prepared will thwart any worries and increase safety.
Edited by Stuti Khadka and Morgan Albrecht