As fall gives way to winter, driving conditions become harsh and the weather can put pressure on your vehicle’s systems. With some basic preparation, you and your vehicle can be ready for winter driving. Review this handy car maintenance checklist to get your vehicle equipped. Your Winter Car Maintenance Checklist Pack an Emergency Kit One of the easiest ways to help prepare your car, truck, or SUV for the winter driving months is to make an emergency kit to stash in the trunk of your vehicle. The kit doesn’t have to be anything fancy, it’s just a combination of items that will help you if your car won’t start, slides off the road, or is stuck. Pack a box with the following: Jumper cables Flashlight Bag of kitty litter or sand (for traction) Ice scraper and brush High-energy snacks Blanket, gloves, and hat Check the Battery Your vehicle’s battery capacity can be greatly diminished when the temperatures plummet. By making sure your battery is ready for winter before the snow flies, you’ll be helping to ensure reliable startups even on the coldest of mornings. Open the hood and inspect the battery and its connections. Shore up any loose connections on the terminals, inspect the cables for cracks or breaks, and check the battery fluid level. Where the Rubber Meets the Road If your tires have low tread and low air pressure, it can diminish traction on wet or slick roads, leading to dangerous driving. With a simple penny, you can easily check the tread depth of your tires to ensure you have the traction to grip the road and stop safely. You can also opt for snow tires to help improve your vehicle’s traction while driving through snow, slush, and ice. Top Off Fluids Prior to winter, take your vehicle in for regular maintenance, so your vehicle’s crucial fluids can be refilled or replaced to ensure optimal performance in the cold weather. By swapping coolant for an antifreeze and water mixture, your engine will be protected against freezing in sub-zero temperatures. Your technician may suggest switching to a winter-grade oil, which is thinner by design to ensure smooth movement through engine components. Lastly, swapping regular windshield washer fluid for a freeze-resistant formula will help keep the windshield clean and clear. Don’t Get Locked Out Keeping a couple of tubes of glycerine in your bag or desk at the office can help you de-ice your vehicle’s locks if they become frozen over. Prepare Your Car for Winter at Zimbrick Chevrolet Schedule service to get your vehicle ready for winter driving at the Zimbrick Chevrolet service center. We also offer Chevy service coupons to help you save some money on your visit.
Looking for a used car? You’re in good company. The demand for used cars has never been higher than it is right now. In fact, more than 40 million used cars were sold in the U.S. in 2016 alone. The perks of choosing a pre-owned vehicle are undeniable. But with so many available options, honing in on the right used car may seem like an intimidating task. But it doesn’t have to be. At Zimbrick Chevrolet, we know that hunting down the right pre-owned vehicle can be stressful. That’s why we want to prepare you for your search. Below, you’ll find a used car checklist that you should never shop without. 10 Steps to Follow When Buying a Used Car 1. Do your homework Buying the right used car begins well before you get to the lot. You’ve got a lot to compare and consider — from budget and practicality to performance features and reliability ratings. Showing up well-prepared is a must and our model research pages are a great place to start. 2. Request the vehicle history report Knowing a car’s history is an integral part of the shopping process. A CARFAX® Vehicle History Report will show you the title, ownership, and maintenance records for the life of the vehicle so that you can catch up and be aware of the car’s upkeep history. 3. Inspect the exterior This is one case in which it’s okay to judge a book by its cover. Inspect the body for dings or scrapes. Investigate the glass and lenses for cracks, pocks, or unusual moisture. Examine the tires for signs of reduced tread depth. A car’s appearance reflects upon you as the owner, so you’ll want to make sure it’s in good shape. 4. Check under the hood Even the best looking used cars can be deceptive. Pop the hood to make sure everything looks up to snuff within. Give the hoses, belts, and radiator a thorough look over to make sure there aren’t any excess fluids in places they don’t belong. Check the battery for corrosion. You’ll want to identify problems that may have been missed. 5. Look under the vehicle You don’t want to miss anything. Have a peek under the vehicle to ensure that you haven’t overlooked a problem. Leaks and residue can be indicators of bigger issues, so you’ll want to eliminate them before you even set foot behind the wheel. 6. Examine the interior If you’ve made it this far, you’re ready for a closer look. Scan the cabin for any damage to the seats or peculiar odors that raise a flag. Make sure all the car’s instruments, controls, and pedals function properly. You’ll need them to before you decide to schedule a test drive. 7. Go for a test drive It all comes down to this. A car can look as good in real life as it does on paper, but it’s not the right model for you if it doesn’t feel that way on the road. Pay attention to how the car accelerates, handles, and brakes. Test safety systems and entertainment features. There are too many options for you to pick a car that you don’t have chemistry with. 8. Get it evaluated Getting a second opinion is perfectly acceptable. You have our word at Zimbrick Chevrolet, but we understand that you’ll probably want to get your car scrutinized by someone else. Being comfortable with your purchase before you close the deal is of utmost importance to all parties involved. 9. Ask questions You don’t want to leave our dealership with unanswered questions. Lucky for you, our staff is full of experts in all things Chevy. We know that you’ve done your research, but we’re still here to answer any questions you might have — before, during, and after the purchase. 10. Sign on your terms Timing is different for everyone. We want you to be as confident in your purchase as possible. Whether you're ready to buy as soon as the test drive is over or you need a night to sleep on it, we’re excited to send you home in your next Chevy. Find an Outstanding Used Car in Sun Prairie, WI At Zimbrick Chevrolet, we carry some of the highest-quality used Chevy models in the Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, area, so you know that you can take our word for it. We thoroughly inspect all of our pre-owned models before we sell them on our lot. Ready to see one and get started? We thought you might be. Check off the first step by browsing our full inventory of used Chevy cars. If you have any questions or concerns, contact us now. We’re happy to see you through your journey.
