Winterize Your Ride

You can feel the chill in the air. Winter is on the way. You may have already broken out your sweaters, but you need to make sure your car is ready for the cold weather.

Even in climates that don’t see subfreezing temperatures or regular snow, the change in season is a great time for an inspection of basic maintenance items that affect performance. Have your service center inspect or check the five following areas:

Antifreeze
A quick and simple check of the coolant will tell immediately how much protection it will deliver in cold temperatures.  Antifreeze that is good to 0º F or -10º F might be fine for Arizona drivers, but not so for those in Minnesota. Make sure your antifreeze will do its job for your area’s typical winter temperature.

Battery 
Very cold weather saps the cranking capability of a battery, and a marginal one that did the trick in the summer may not start your car when the thermometer drops. Have the battery inspected and replace it if the cold-cranking amps aren’t sufficient—it’ll be easier in the long run than a couple of jump-starts on a freezing January morning.

Belts and hoses
Extremely cold temperatures can increase the chance of failure for worn or cracked belts and hoses. Use the change in season to have them inspected and replaced as necessary.

Tires
Cold temperatures can reduce the air pressure in tires, so making sure the tires are properly inflated can enhance fuel economy and prolong the life of the tires. Also, be sure to have the tread wear inspected. For drivers in areas that see ice and snow in the winter, adequate tire tread is often the difference between an easy commute and a tire-spinning ordeal—or getting stuck.

Wipers
Winter brings precipitation, be it rain, snow, sleet or all of the above. Have your car’s wipers inspected for normal operation and have the wiper blades replaced if they smear, streak or “chatter.” You’ll also want a full reservoir of washer fluid for the winter.

One more thing: If you live in a snowy area where the roads are routinely salted, have your car washed often throughout the winter. It will ward off rust and protect the finish of the exterior paint and wheels.