Winter Maintenance Tips

When the weather changes, it can bring about difficult driving conditions, especially when winter rolls in. The conditions commonly found in winter include snow, ice, sleet, and road sand. Therefore, not only do you need to prepare yourself for winter driving, but you also need to prepare your car. The tips below can help you prepare your vehicle for winter travel and road conditions.

Service Your Car for Winter

It is a good idea to have your car serviced in time for the winter difficulties you might face. This service includes checking cables, wires, spark plugs, hoses, and belts for any damage. If they are bad, they should be replaced. You also want to check your cooling system. It would be best if you had a specific ratio of antifreeze to water to help prevent freezing and corrosion. Finally, it would be best if you had a certified technician at Kevin Grover Buick GMC to service your car for winter.

In addition, your battery power can decrease when the temperature goes down. This requires your car to use more power to start it in the winter. If your battery is causing problems before the temperature drops, it will break down further.

Winter Tires

Depending on the conditions winter brings in your area, you may need winter tires. All-season tires may work if the conditions are not severe, but they may not give you the maximum performance and protection you might need. When the temperature drops below freezing, it consistently negatively impacts your tires. The rubber in tires that are not made for winter harden in extreme cold, and they are not able to grip the road. Winter tires have unique compounds that resist hardening and provide you with better traction on snow, ice, and dry roads.

Tire Pressure

It is critical that you maintain tire pressure on a regular basis, but especially during the winter months. When the temperature changes by 10 degrees, it can cause your tires to lose or gain 1 PSI. It is essential that you check the pressure of your tires often during winter and put air in your tires as necessary. The change in temperature impacts the traction your tires has while driving. When you have less traction, it can affect your ability to drive.

Winter Wipers

It is a good idea for you to install winter wipers before the temperature gets too cold. These specific wipers have rubber that prevents the ice from accumulating on the wiper blades. It is essential that you remember to remove these wiper blades when the temperature warms up. In addition, these wipers are heavier, which causes more work for the wiper motor. You also want to ensure that you have plenty of windshield washer fluid in your car. Heavy snow could use a large amount of washer fluid, which is why it is essential to refill the washer fluid.

Prepare a Safety Kit

It is essential that you have a safety kit in your car at all times, but especially in the winter. In this kit, you want to have supplies and tools for emergency purposes.

Gas Tank Level

You want to keep your gas tank at least half full at all times. This is especially important in the winter. When the temperature drops, it can create condensation in the gas tank. If your tank is full, this can prevent condensation from occurring. Your gas lines can also freeze in your car if you do not have enough gas.

Rear-Window Defroster

You want to make sure your rear-window defroster when you are driving in the winter. If your defroster is not working on the rear window, it could create a dangerous driving condition as you may not be able to see out of it. In addition, you want to make sure your back window is free of debris and condensation.

Clean Your Lights

It is essential that your lights shine clearly when the weather gets gloomy and dark. When your lights are fully functioning, they can improve your safety. First, you want to make sure that your lights are free of dirt. You can add car wax to the lens, let it dry, and then buff it. This leaves a slippery surface on your lights which prevents icicles from refreezing on your car.