Winterize Your Car With These Steps

Summer 2020 passed by in a flash, and the fall is quickly coming to a close. We all know what that means: it’s time to put the bikinis and board shorts away until next year. Sure, we’ll miss the warm, sunny days lazing around the river and those balmy nights dining alfresco at the latest trendy downtown Cincinnati eatery, but winter has its benefits too. The first snowfall, the magic of the holiday season, and time with family are but a few of winter’s many joys. However, before we can enjoy the best winter has to offer, we must take time to winterize our vehicles. You might ask, how do I find a car service near me that can help prep my vehicles for the cold weather conditions? Don’t worry – we’re here to help!

First, we need to review all the tips and tricks for winterizing your vehicle so you can comfortably and safely navigate more challenging driving conditions and keep your car running great. There are mechanical and cosmetic steps you can take to keep your vehicle in top condition. Factors like an accumulation of salt can damage a vehicle’s exterior, and the wrong tires (or tires that are excessively worn) will make winter driving a nightmare. These small details combine to create an effective and responsible strategy for getting through the winter.

We know it seems like a lot to take in, but it’s not an overwhelming task. What are the steps? It starts with equipping your car with the proper tires and moves up and around from there. Here we’ll share everything you need to know to properly prepare your car – and yourself! – for the winter months ahead. Consider enlisting the help of your local Chevrolet dealer for added peace-of-mind and a guarantee that factory-approved parts and equipment are being used. That’s what is best for your car, truck, or SUV because factory parts and factory-certified technicians are designed – and trained – to optimize the health of your vehicle and ultimately protect residual value.

Exterior

The most critical winterizing advice we can give you is to swap out your regular tires for special snow tires. This one step alone can help keep you and your passengers safe in unpredictable road conditions. When you need to get from Point A to Point B, no matter what the weather’s doing, take this extra step and enjoy a little more protection from the elements. What exactly are snow tires, and how do they differ from standard tires? Snow tires are specially-designed tires that offer extra traction and grip in slippery conditions, delivering more stability right when you need it. Remember, performance tires or those that come standard on a vehicle are not the same as a proper snow tire.

It’s important to wash your car at least weekly during the winter months. Salt, dirt, and ice can accumulate on and under your vehicle, accelerating mechanical wear and tear, and contributing to rust and other damage to the paint. Car washes are important, but a coating of wax also helps to protect the vehicle’s finish further. You might want to consider investing in a full detail at your local dealership at the beginning of the winter season. This is a costly service but worthwhile to protect your investment. Additionally, many dealers offer monthly specials on full vehicle detailing.

Always replace your windshield wiper blades at the end of the warm weather months. Often they become brittle from extended sun and heat exposure, and the last thing you want is to find out they’re ineffective just when the first snowfall hits your windshield. Changing out the wiper blades is easy, and your local dealer has replacement blades in stock and readily available. It’s a good idea to keep an extra set in your trunk just in case the ones on your windshield become damaged by ice accumulation.

Mechanical

You may have heard about various fluids that are necessary to keep your vehicle in top mechanical condition but not fully grasp their function and/or importance. That’s OK! Your local car service center has the know-how to take care of this for you. There’s a lot more to each fluid’s role in the overall performance of your vehicle, but suffice to say, you don’t have to be an auto mechanic to understand how they work. Keeping fluids topped off and fresh is key to getting your car through the winter.

Starting with windshield washer fluid, don’t let the tank get low because we all know that it’s nearly impossible to maintain safe visibility without it. Windshield washers provide an invaluable service during the winter months, and everyone that has ever gotten stuck behind a salt truck knows why. Salt, snow, ice, and underlying road grit quickly accumulate on your windshield while you’re driving and contribute to low or no visibility. Keep an extra gallon of windshield washer fluid in your trunk and have your dealer show you how to top it off.

Other important fluids include antifreeze, which helps regulate the temperature of your car’s engine, and transmission fluid. A fresh oil change before the cold weather hits is also a great idea. The fresher and cleaner your vehicle’s fluids, the easier time it will have powering through the winter. Once again, it’s not critical to become an expert in these areas – your trusted car service provider can do this for you. Just remember to ask!

Safety

Every winter, we hear horror stories of vehicles that get stuck in remote spots after spinning off the road or get trapped in a snowstorm for hours on end. The likelihood of this happening to you is slim, but it’s still extremely critical to be prepared. What does a well-prepared vehicle include? There are several items you should have stocked in your car, but first and foremost, make sure you keep your gas tank as close to full as possible at all times. This way, if you find yourself stuck on a backed-up highway or back road due to a blizzard, you’ll be able to run your car’s engine and stay warm.

Next, keep an emergency kit in your trunk. Some items you should include are jumper cables to help yourself and other motorists in the event of a dead battery, which is common in cold temperatures. A first aid kit with current (not expired) items, such as aspirin and antibacterial ointment, is also good to have on hand for any situation. You should also have a flashlight with extra batteries and a spare phone charger and battery that are fully charged (check this often as cold weather drains batteries faster). Finally, you might want to include blankets and shelf-stable food supplies, like nuts, granola bars, or dried fruit, just in case you do get stuck somewhere.

Other regular non-seasonal maintenance is critical as well, including checking the brake pads and rotors. All exterior lights – like tail lights, turn signals, headlights, high beams, and fog lamps – should be checked to ensure they’re in working order. Your car’s battery is susceptible to cold weather, too, so check the power load to ensure it’s at maximum output capacity. Other components, like belts and hoses, should also be on the list of items to inspect.

What happens under, around, and inside the car is always important, but never more so than during extreme weather. A properly maintained, correctly winterized vehicle prevents many of the hassles and stressors that make winter driving difficult. Winterizing your car is a form of preventative maintenance, and it’s a good annual plan that should be added to your list of household tasks.

Mother Nature isn’t always predictable, but you can sidestep most potential disasters with some thoughtful preparation. That preparation is a lot easier when you have a trusted auto service facility helping you run through a comprehensive winter-ready checklist. Like anything else in life, the best defense is a good offense. When it comes to winterizing your vehicle, a few steps can go a long way. Bear the brunt of winter with ease!