How To Prepare Your Vehicle For The Winter Months
by admin on Sep.14, 2009, under Car Maintenance
How To Prepare Your Vehicle For The Winter Months
Winter is quickly bearing down upon us and it’s time to get our cars, trucks, and SUVs ready for the cold weather. If you live in Southern California, you’re unlikely to experience any problems. That area receives little to no snow and their roads are in good shape. If you live in the Midwest, you’re in a different situation. The snow can turn to ice, making the roads slippery. Plus, because of the low temperatures, your vehicle will have a harder time starting.
In this article, I’ll give you a quick checklist that you can use to make sure your car is ready for the winter. If you address the following items, you might be able to avoid frustrating car problems during the next few months.
Change The Oil Grade
Engine oils are sold according to their viscosity grade. Some are thicker than others and offer advantages over thinner grades. The problem is, thicker viscosities cannot circulate through your engine as easily as thinner oils. If your vehicle has been sitting in freezing temperatures all night, the oil will circulate even more slowly. That can make a big difference in the level of wear and tear your engine endures.
Change to a thinner grade. An oil with a thin viscosity will circulate more easily and protect your engine’s moving parts more effectively when it’s cold.
Test Your Battery
Your battery doesn’t enjoy cold weather. Winter temperatures tend to dramatically reduce its power to crank your engine. Unfortunately, there’s rarely any warning before a car battery dies. So, now’s the time to stop by your local auto repair shop to have it tested. Also, spend some time cleaning the corrosion that accumulates between the terminals and connectors.
Examine Your Tires
When the roads become slippery, tires with worn treads become dangerous. Not only do they lack the ability to grip the cement, water cannot filter as effectively through the shallow treads. If you find yourself in a situation that requires fast braking in order to avoid a collision, worn tires can lead to injury. If you live in an area that receives snow, ice, or a lot of rain, consider buying snow tires. They’re designed to provide more safety and control during inclement weather.
Also, check the pressure. If your tires are underinflated, you’ll lose traction. This is the case whether the roads are wet, icy, or dry. During the winter, a loss of traction can be potentially deadly.
Test Your Antifreeze
Normally, the coolant mixture in your car’s radiator should be balanced at 50%. That is, the mixture should be 50% water and 50% antifreeze. Your radiator and coolant play a key role in providing protection from extreme temperatures during operation. If there’s too much water in the mixture, it can freeze at higher temperatures than would otherwise be the case with a 50-50 blend. Buy an antifreeze tester (available at most auto parts stores) and test the ratio.
If you invest the time to address those four items (oil, battery, tires, and antifreeze blend), you’ll be far less likely to experience automotive problems during the winter. When it’s wet and freezing cold outside, you’ll be glad you did.