Getting Your Car Ready For Winter

Cold weather can be a nuisance for vehicles causing driveability problems, dirty filters, frosted windshields and frozen fuel lines. Some of these issues can actually lead to expensive repairs, especially if you haven’t been too vigilant about periodic maintenance. Getting your car ready for winter is a must to avoid breakdowns in the middle of the road, promote better gasoline mileage, and reduce harmful emissions. It’s a good idea to keep your car in perfect condition, come winter, to enjoy safe rides and avoid troubles. Here’s a list of vehicle care tips during winter that would come in handy for getting your car ready for winter.

Be Prepared

Technically, you should be prepared for the fall and winter season car care. The first thing to do as part of the preparation is to dig out your vehicle’s instruction manual. Go through it to get a better sense of your automobile and note down appropriate times for servicing parts and fuel swaps. It’s advised to take your vehicle to a workshop and get it thoroughly scrutinized by an auto mechanic for any issues with engine, transmission, and suspension. Remember cold weather makes existing car problems worse, so having a pro take a good look at your vehicle will make for quick fixes on time.

Check Engine And Transmission Assembly

Winter driving requires a robust, well-lubricated engine that is in perfect condition for a comfortable ride. A well-kept engine can enhance the performance of your vehicle, so it’s important to find a mechanic for analyzing problems like rough idling, difficult startups, hedging, low power, and dirty filters. A bad engine uses up more fuel and emits more pollutants. A certified pro can detect such issues early and recommend repairs before it’s too late. In the winter months, cold weather can wreak havoc on transmissions that are low on fluid, so make sure you schedule a visit at the beginning of the season for a seasonal checkup or at the first sign of any transmission issues.
Ask the mechanic to check the functioning and condition of all mobile parts of the assembly. These parts can generate friction leading to a lot of wear and tear. Any clogged fuel lines, filters, and bad PCV should be replaced. You might want to include an antifreeze for your fuel lines in the tank because the fuel deicer prevents moisture from freezing with the drop in temperature. Adding this once a month to the tank and keeping the tank full are good ways to improve your fuel mileage efficiency.

Check Levels Of Lubricants And Oil

Ensure all the required lubricants like for steering wheel, windshield wipers, brakes, and engine are at optimum levels. Top them up if they are below the required levels and consult the auto shop for an engine oil change, if needed. It is generally recommended to swap engine oil once you hit 3,000 miles, however, it’s better to check with your mechanic or automaker for an effective schedule. Most vehicle owners tend to overlook regular maintenance like filter changes and liquid replacements, which may lead to different engine and transmission issues. The worst thing is if you don’t get these problems fixed on time, the cold weather aggravates them, something which may cause expensive repairs like a complete system overhaul.

Check the Cooling And Exhaust Systems

With fall comes cold nights and that can worsen exhaust system issues like leakages or small holes in the trunk leading to exhaust fumes that can be quite detrimental. Having a well-serviced exhaust unit with the footboard and trunk in good condition prevents fumes. Clamps, hoses and drive belts of the system should be tight and in good working condition. Moreover, you will need to get the cooling system inspected for the condition and concentrations of the coolant. Professionals typically recommend a 1:1 ratio of water and antifreeze for the cooling system which should be regularly flushed and topped. Something you can do without a pro’s assistance is to check your car’s heater and defroster. If you observe any malfunction, ask your mechanic to take a look at it. You’ll need to follow certain tips to make the windshield clear.

Inspect Batteries, Brakes, And Tires

Get your battery examined for low power by a pro because it requires the use of technical equipment which you might not have. You can, however, clean your battery to remove any dirt, grime or corrosive build-up on cable connections and the posts. After you are done with cleaning, fix all battery cables in the right places and make sure the connections are tight. You might want to check your car’s manual before attempting to remove cables from the battery, as it can result in data loss or code damage for new vehicles. It’s suggested to get a mechanic to inspect the battery. Furthermore, have your tires checked for scratches, pressure, cuts, and cupping to prevent running a flat tire in winters. It’s essential that you check the functionality of the brakes too to ensure better traction and avoid wheel slips.