Winter holidays are full of joy and laughter, but the chilliest season is often accompanied by cold temperatures, ice, and snow. With a little planning and auto maintenance, your vehicle can be prepared for inclement weather.
Auto Maintenance Tips For Winter
Get a tune-up
The first thing you need to do is get an auto tuneup. To check the level of the wiper fluid, you should first remove the hood. Keep your windshield washer reservoir topped up during winter so your windshield can be kept clear even in the snowiest months. The windshield wiper fluids should be concentrated or you might require a deicer if you live in extremely cold areas.
Cold temperatures can affect oil viscosity so you might need to switch to a winter-grade oil. The temperature increases and your engine’s oil gets thinner. Therefore, in warmer climates, thicker oils with higher viscosity will keep your engine properly lubricated. In cold and windy conditions, heavier oils won’t work as well. To make sure you are choosing the correct type, consult the owner’s guide or speak to your auto mechanic.
You should also inspect any other parts under your vehicle that could fail in extreme circumstances while you are checking your fluids. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, (NHTSA), seasonal changes are a good opportunity to check that your cooling system is working properly, your battery is charged, and that your rubber hoses are in good condition.
Check your tires
Your air tire pressure drops as the temperature drops. Tires can lose pressure at a rate of around one pound for every 10 degrees Fahrenheit. Low tire pressure can cause dangerously poor handling. It’s therefore important to ensure that your tires are properly inflated.
Buy snow tires if you live in an area that experiences severe winter weather. These snow tires are specifically designed for snowy or icy surfaces.
Examine the exterior of your car
To ensure that your headlights work properly, check the exterior of your vehicle. Clean and replace any damaged bulbs. NHTSA also recommends that windshield wipers be in good working order. Windshield wipers are continually exposed to the elements. It is important to regularly replace worn or damaged wiper blades to maintain visibility, especially in the event of a snowstorm.
Make sure you have a winter emergency kit
You can also keep a year-round emergency kit in your car. Consider adding a winter emergency kit.
- A shovel
- Gloves
- Boots
- An ice scraper
- For traction on slippery roads, sand or cat litter is recommended.
- Keep your doors open to prevent them from freezing
Spray the rubber seal on your car’s door with regular cooking spray. Then, wipe any drips off your car using a dry paper towel. This will keep your car from freezing all year.
Although we cannot avoid winter’s driving hazards, there are some things you can do to prepare for the colder months.
Call Miller Brothers Transmission Auto Repair and Body Shop now and let our mechanics help prepare your car for winter.
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Miller Brothers Transmission Auto Repair and Body Shop
7123 Tazewell Pike
Corryton, TN 37721
(865) 689-5072
https://www.millerbrosautorepair.com/
Serving Knoxville, TN and Knox County
Service areas include: All of Knox County, Corryton, Fountain City, Halls Crossroads, Powell, and Knoxville
