How to Maintain Your Vehicle During Winter

Dec 22, 2024

Winter is coming, and in some places it’s already here! Did you know that more than 90% of vehicle accidents and issues occurring during winter months are considered preventable? Today, we’re helping you maintain your vehicle in tip-top shape so you can avoid preventable damage. Along with defensive and calm driving habits, we suggest you make a call to our experienced service technicians and inquire about a winter car care appointment! It’s important to bring your car in periodically for regular oil changes and fluid top-offs, and request that our expert mechanics inspect your vehicle for the following:

Check those Brakes – Stopping short in wet, icy, slippery conditions can mean the difference between life and death or catastrophic damage to your vehicle and others. Check your front and rear brakes, emergency brake, and brake light system. Have a trusted technician inspect your brakes, rotors, and wheels for damage such as rust, salt buildup, or regular wear and tear. Have any damaged or worn items replaced ASAP to ensure you can stop safely on a dime if necessary! Do not skimp on this checkpoint. A good solid set of brakes and quality rotors can be the difference between a safe stop and total decimation of your vehicle and serious injuries.
Test the Battery – Check your car battery. Colder months mean we’re more apt to leave our car running to “warm it up” so we don’t face a frosty morning commute, but this also means a higher potential for draining the battery through accidental means. Cold weather can put additional stress on your battery, and can cause it to lose around 20-30% of its charge when the weather hits 32 degrees. If a vehicle is going into or coming out of storage, the battery should definitely be checked and replaced as they do lose charge while sitting.
Service the vehicle Heating System – If you’ve not done so already, have your AC/heating system serviced and refreshed. It’s important to maintain properly working ventilation systems and heating for safe winter driving. Ensure that your defrosters and vents are in working order so you can clear inclement weather off your windows, mirrors, and windshields while driving! Proper visibility is essential.

Triple Check Overall Tire Quality and Tread Depth – Be sure that you have adequate tread depth, no signs of extreme wear, and have properly inflated your tires to pressure. Check your tire pressure regi;ar;y and make sure the PSI matches the manufacturer requirements (can be located in your manual or on a label on the side door pockets or frame.) Look for signs of wear and tear such as bulges and bubbles, cracks or small tears, or significant tread wear leaving bald spots. Your tire pressure can drop significantly with every 10 degree change in temperatures, so it’s important to keep an eye on this regularly. This coupled with proper winter or all-season tires can increase your safety when stopping short or hitting a patch of road with wintry conditions.

Always maintain your fuel tank – Being prepared for every possible outcome as best that you can includes maintaining proper fuel levels in your vehicle. Be sure to fuel up with recommended gasoline quality according to guidelines for your vehicle (check the owner’s manual.) In addition, ensure that your tank is at least half full at all times; this will prevent fuel lines from freezing, causing dangerous breaks in the line or leaking, as well as ensuring you can maintain a safe, warm vehicle should you become stranded until help arrives.
Prepare for Emergencies – Make sure you have a winter emergency kit stocked up and ready to go. In a bin, box, or duffel bag we recommend keeping the following on hand in your trunk or backseat: thermal blankets and fleece blankets, a clean set of warm clothes, extra winter hats & gloves, kitty litter and/or small container of rock salt, a small portable or foldable snow shovel, flares, hand-crank LED flashlight or LED lantern, hand warmer packets, jumper cables, a fully stocked first aid kit, an ice scraper and snow brush, and a tow rope. These can all help you should your vehicle become stuck in any ice or encounter any other inclement weather related accident.