10 Top Tips to Get Your Car Ready for Winter
Having a breakdown is never a welcome experience, but in winter’s freezing temps, it can prove downright dangerous. That’s why an ounce of preventive maintenance in the Fall can translate to worry free driving all winter.
Here are 10 things to consider as we head into the chillier season:
1) Get Any Needed Repairs NOW: Don’t put off something that needs to be fixed on your vehicle for later. Winter is hard on cars, and delaying a repair could make what now seems like a minor problem become something major.
2) Engine Oil: Change your car’s engine oil and oil filter as recommended by the manufacturer. If you’re changing the oil yourself, make sure to refill with an oil rated for cold weather.
3) Battery: Batteries typically last 3–5 years, and failures are common in winter because of increased cold-starting electrical loads. If your battery is old, have it tested.
4) Headlights: Inspect all lights and replace burned-out bulbs. Have badly weathered or hazy plastic headlight lenses restored for better visibility and increased safety.
5) Engine and exhaust: Have any Check Engine lights or other engine problems corrected as soon as possible. Have your vehicle’s exhaust system examined for leaks, including floorboards and trunk.
6) Tires: Get your tires rotated every 5,000–7,500 miles. Check the tires’ pressures once a month. Winter can be tough, so consider a set of dedicated snow tires.
7) Cooling system: Flush and refill the cooling system with factory-approved coolant at the interval specified by the manufacturer. A 50/50 mix of coolant and water is usually recommended.
8) Heater and defroster: Check for proper system operation to ensure visibility and passenger comfort. Replace the cabin air filter at intervals specified by your car’s manufacturer.
9) Windshield wipers: Replace worn wipers and fill the windshield washer system with winter solvent. If you live in a harsh climate, buy beam-type or rubber-clad blades that help prevent ice buildup.
10) Emergency Kit: Be sure to update your vehicle’s emergency kit with winter-specific necessities such as:
– Blankets
– Ice scraper with brush
– Snow shovel
– Bag of salt/cat litter or traction mats
– Boots
Be ready so winter doesn’t get the best of you this season!