subject: How To Maintain Your Car During The Winter [print this page] Maintaining your car during the winter is different than taking care of your car during the rest of the year. With the dip in temperature and the constant change in weather conditions, your vehicle needs a little extra tender love and care to survive the season without any worse for wear.
The first thing you need to do to successfully maintain your car during the winter is to make sure it is in good shape beforehand. This means taking your care in for regular maintenance throughout the year. You cant expect your car to run efficiently if you neglect it. So, get an oil change, check the fluids, and make sure your tires are in good condition before the winter comes. Many shops offer winterization packages that include inspection of your cars brakes, battery, spark plugs, and everything else that needs to run efficiently during the winter.
Once the winter comes, maintaining your car is about doing a series of little things. The following are some of the most important things that you need to do to keep your car in good shape throughout the winter months:
Install winter tires: This is an obvious one, but having winter tires will better prepare you vehicle for the winter weather. You will have better traction and control, which can help to reduce the odds of slide outs and accidents.
Park in a covered area if possible: Parking in covered areas such as a garage, car port, or underground lots will reduce your cars exposure to the harm winter weather. Plus, you wont have to clean the snow and ice off your car in the morning.
Keep your washer fluid topped up: The last thing you want to do is run out of windshield washer fluid during a storm. Use washer fluid that is meant for your areas weather conditions and make sure you keep it topped up and keep an extra container in the truck.
Check your antifreeze regularly: Make sure that you top up the antifreeze in your car regularly as it is an important component in protecting your vehicle during the winter. Check it each time you fill up on window washer fluid.
Replace your wipers: Most people do not replace their wipers often enough. And, as a result, drivers experience streaks across their windshield and reduce visibility. Get your wipers repacked at least once per year, and ideally right before the winter season.
Check your tire pressure: Keeping your tires at the correct level of inflation will not only give you better control, it will also improve your gas mileage. So, check your tire pressure from time to time when you go to the gas station for a fill up.
Wash your car on a regular basis: During the winter road salt is used to keep the roads clear. However, this salt is very corrosive and bad for cars. Letting it sit on your car can lead to issues such as premature rusting. This is why drivers need to wash their car regularly during the winter. Wash your car at least every two weeks to wash off the road salt.
Remember, even if you have a new car, you cannot overlook the importance of proper maintenance during the winter. If you neglect your car now, it will eventually catch up with you in the future.
