8 Winter Car Maintenance Tips for Safer Driving!

Winter has shown its face in many parts of the country. If you haven’t done so yet, now is the time to ask your auto repair technician about preventative vehicle maintenance. It is important to have a thorough inspection performed on all the systems of your vehicle so that you are driving as safe as possible. It is also important that you have any necessary repairs taken care of at the same time. This will help give you confidence in your vehicle as you head out on wet and icy roads.

Consider the eight winter car maintenance tips listed below:

• Check the Car Battery--Cold temperatures reduce a battery’s cranking power. For example, a battery has only half the cranking power at 0° F than at 80° F. A tired battery may just need to be charged, or simply replaced.
• Windshield and Wiper Blades--Wiper blades generally start to lose their effectiveness in as little as six months. Streaks or missed areas of glass are signs that they should be replaced. Remove ice from the windshield with an ice scraper (not your wiper blades). To keep your wipers from freezing to the windshield, stop them in the raised position, especially if you park outside. Fill the windshield-washer reservoir with a washer solution that contains an antifreeze agent. Also, make sure the heater is functioning properly so that plenty of warm air is being directed to the windshield in the defrost mode.
• Lights--Check that all the vehicle's lights are working properly and that the lenses are clean so that you'll have optimum visibility at night and that other drivers can see you coming or going.
• Oil--Oil thickens when cold, making it harder for the engine to turn over. Generally, you should be using multi-viscosity oil that has a "W" in the viscosity index (check your owner’s manual), signifying that it can provide good oil flow at low temperatures.
• Radiator, Hoses, and Belts--Have the radiator and heater hoses checked for cracks, leaks, or contamination from oil or grease. The hoses should be firm yet pliable. Ask your mechanic to check the coolant mixture in your radiator for your area’s winter temperatures.
• Tires--If you only drive occasionally in snow, a new set of all-season tires rated to perform well in snow and ice should be fine. If you do a lot of driving in snowy conditions, consider purchasing snow tires which are made from special rubber compounds and tread patterns to grip snow and ice for optimum traction. Make sure that you keep your tires properly inflated, as tire pressure declines as the thermometer drops.
• Brakes--If you feel any vibration, hear squealing, or the brake pedal feels “soft,” have your brakes inspected and repaired as soon as possible for better-stopping performance on slick and icy roads.
• Emergency kit--Regardless of the length of your commute or road trip, always carry a supply of water, snacks, jumper cables, flashlight (with extra batteries), road flares, first aid kit, blanket, and cell phone and charger.

Need to know more winter car maintenance tips? Contact our ASE Certified Technicians at Gary’s Quality Automotive for more information about vehicle maintenance services and to schedule an appointment. Our auto shop proudly serves vehicle owners in Grand Island, NE, Wood River, NE, and Doniphan, NE.