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As the winter season approaches, our vehicles could use special attention, particularly in regions with harsh weather conditions.
Even in areas with moderate temperatures, where you're spared from shoveling snow or worrying about salt corrosion, winter still calls for some vehicle maintenance.
Before leaving town, make sure to review our December maintenance checklist for winter car care and safety:
- Get your battery tested. Winter temperatures, particularly extreme cold weather, can make a battery go dead overnight. That is especially true if you parked your vehicle outside in freezing weather.
Ask your advisor if your vehicle’s battery has enough capacity to get through the cold season. Before you head out of town for the holidays, a battery test can reveal the condition of the battery terminals and its ability to hold a charge. Batteries two or three years old are more prone to failure. - Upgrade your oil. If you’re due for an oil change, ask your service advisor about using synthetic oil versus conventional oil. Synthetic oils have better viscosity stability across a range of temperatures, which makes them the optimal choice no matter what time of year.
- Get a grip on icy roads. Even if you live in temperate climates, consider installing tires designed for colder regions. Are you planning to visit regions where temperatures dip below freezing?
A set of winter or “all weather” tires can help keep your vehicle handling properly in inclement weather. The tread patterns and grooves help when driving in the snow or slush. Softer rubber compounds help winter tires stay flexible in cold temperatures, allowing more of the tire to touch the road and providing better grip. - Check tires for tread depth and air pressure. Tread depth dramatically affects your vehicle’s ability to maneuver and stop. Tires have wear bars that indicate the minimum legal requirement for tire treads (2/32 of an inch). Remember, your vehicle’s tires may wear down at different rates. Ask your service advisor to give you a reading on tread wear.
Lack of the proper tire air pressure puts your vehicle and your passengers at risk. Make sure your treads are properly inflated to prevent permanent tire damage and an untimely tire blowout. The right amount of air pressure helps your tire investment last long, improves driving performance and increases fuel economy. - Inspect the spare tire. Make sure your spare tire is properly inflated and in good condition. If not, consider getting a new spare tire for safety purposes. The spare is often neglected but could be a lifesaver during a snowstorm.
- Keep your passengers cozy. Check your heater and defroster by testing its climate control system. Lack of warm air is another sign your vehicle thermostat may need to be replaced or some other problem that may not be detected until you are away from home.
- Keep your vehicle hydrated. When was the last time you had your vehicle’s fluid levels checked? If the answer was “at the last oil change,” a lot may have changed since then, especially if it was in last summer or spring.
Low levels of coolant can cause problems on the road. An empty windshield wiper tank means your wipers won’t be able to remove smears and winter grime off the windshield when driving down the highway. Dirty oil can lower vehicle performance. - Brighten your holiday driving. The darkest days of winter are on the way. Do your vehicle’s exterior lights seem a bit dull? Check all exterior lights including headlights, taillights, brake lights, and turn signals to make sure they are working properly.
Are the headlight covers cloudy? That can hinder light emission and your vision on those dark winter evenings. Ask your service advisor about headlight restoration.
For your family’s older vehicles, when was the last time you replaced halogen or Xenon bulbs? Unlike LED lights, traditional bulbs lose intensity, traditional bulbs can lose 20 percent or more of their brightness every year. - Protect your investment. A coat of wax helps prevent winter grime from destroying your car’s exterior finish. Regular cleaning of wheels and undercarriage also helps prevent road salts and other contaminants from causing rust.
- Sweep away the blur. Check windshield wiper blades for wear and tear. Do they have frayed edges? Are they chattering, squealing or dragging? Consider winter blades for driving in frosty climates. They are designed to withstand freezing temperatures.
- Fix window chips and cracks. Freezing weather can make those minor chips into extensive cracks that require expensive windshield replacement.
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