preparing your vehicle for winter weather
TRANSCRIPT
With winter weather approaching,
it’s important to take auto
maintenance and safety checks into
consideration to ensure the life of
your vehicle. Before the weather gets
too severe, now is a good time to
look under the hood and make
certain everything is in order. While
you’re at it, make sure your regular
maintenance log is up to date as the
change in seasons is a great time to
go through once-a-year or twice-a-
year auto maintenance tasks.
Cold weather puts stronger-than-
usual demands on your vehicle’s
charging system.
• Check battery posts for
corrosion or weather damage
– nothing is more important
than a perfect battery
connection.
• Check and possibly replace
batteries 4 years and older to
avoid getting stranded
unexpectedly.
• Consider a booster pack or
jumper cables as part of your
winter preparedness kit.
Salt and slush wreak havoc on your
windows, reducing visibility.
• No winter car kit is complete
without an ice scraper and
snow brush, because you
never know when a blizzard
could hit.
• Replace your wiper blades if
they’re old and hardened, or
switch to winter wiper blades.
• Consider cold weather
windshield washer fluid, which
includes antifreeze.
Coolant systems that freeze can lead to
even worse problems like overheating.
• Before the first freeze of the
year, have your car’s coolant
system flushed and checked for
leaks.
• Cars contain a mix of 50% water
and 50% antifreeze. Ensure the
ratio stays close to 50/50 and the
level is full. Many auto service
stations and repair centers will
check this mixture for free. You
can also pick up a testing kit for
about $5.
The interior comfort of
your car is as important
as the engine’s inner
workings!
• Ensure your
heater and vents
are working
properly, with no
leaks.
• Test the window
defroster.
Tires take a lot of wear in the winter
months, so for safety’s sake, get them
checked often.
• Check tread depth. The National
Highway Transportation Safety
Board says you need at least
2/32" of depth to be safe.
• When tires get cold they can
release pressure, so be sure to
keep them inflated.
• Check tire traction before driving
on icy roads.
• Consider snow tires for lengthy
driving during cold winter
months.
Good brakes are crucial for any
vehicle, especially one that’s heading
out on ice or snow-covered roads.
• Ask your maintenance team
for a complete check of the
brake system, from hydraulic
fluid to brake pads.
• Read up on winter driving
tactics, like what to do if your
car hits a patch of black ice.
Whether you’re leaving your car at home
all winter in search of warmer climates, or just storing the vehicle for a long weekend, be sure your car has protection from the
elements. • If you have a garage, use it to
protect your paint job, guard
against ice, and prevent fluid freezing.
• Invest in a car cover if you don’t
have a garage. A car cover won’t do much to prevent fluids from freezing, but it will keep snow and
ice off the windshield and your paint, and help protect your car from salts that might be used on
the streets.
Desert Sun Auto Group serves the Greater New Mexico and West Texas areas. With locations in Alamogordo, Roswell and Espanola, stop by for the best deals of the area. Desert Sun Auto Group offers favorite brands like Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, Cadillac, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, RAM, and Toyota.
Phone: (575) 437-7530
Website: http://www.desertsunmotors.com/