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.
Connect with us
Recent Blog Entries
Categories
