Cars required different care and attention during the winter than in the summer—cold temperatures and seasonal weather conditions such as snow and ice can have adverse effects on your vehicle if you don’t take the proper steps to keep your vehicle maintained. Here are the top 7 best tips for winter car maintenance to keep your car running smoothly all winter long.
Lighting:
One of the major concerns of winter driving is visibility. The sun sets earlier in the winter, which means you’ll likely be spending more time driving in the dark. It’s a good idea to have your headlight and taillights inspected and replaced if the bulbs are looking dull or foggy.
Coolant:
Coolant is extremely important for your car during the winter. Also known as antifreeze, coolant regulates the temperature of your vehicle’s engine to prevent it from freezing during cold temperatures. This winter, make sure your coolant levels are high and that there are no leaks in your engine that could cause a coolant spill down the line.
Tires:
Many drivers think they can get through the winter without replacing their tires if they have all-wheel drive. This is a myth—although the all-wheel drive is great for acceleration and navigation, it isn’t the best for traction and braking in slippery conditions which are especially important for winter. Keep yourself safe on the roads this winter by having winter tires installed on your vehicle. Winter tires come with treading that is specially designed for improved traction, giving you better grip and control on snowy or icy winter roads.
Proper maintenance is the best way to keep your car safe in the harsh weather conditions of winter. For more information about winter maintenance or to schedule a seasonal tune-up with one of our expert mechanics, visit our website at Bloor West Auto Tirecraft or call us at 416-239-2911.
Tire Pressure:
Tire pressure can drop along with the air temperature, losing up to one pound per square inch with every 10-degree drop in air temperature. So, it is important to keep track of your tire pressure as temperatures get colder. Driving with low tire pressure could premature tire wear or potential tread separation, which could lead to a major accident. Also, your car handles less predictably with underinflated tires. Check your tire pressure and if you find that one or more of your tires are low on air, fill them at a gas station air pump and drive safely.
Battery:
Another important factor is a battery. It is more difficult for a battery to operate in cold weather than it is in warm weather. As a result, a battery may week or turn into a dead battery during the winter. So, have a volt test performed on your battery to make sure it’s still in good working order. If not, buy a new battery as soon as possible so you’ll never have to worry about being stranded or left in a cold parking lot with a car that won’t start.
Windshield Wipers:
It’s important to have your windshield wipers inspected and tuned-up as well to protect against snow and ice buildup ruining your visibility on the road.
If you are using the Wiper blades more than 6 months, you have to replace wiper blades. We have found that even the best-performing wiper blades start to lose their effectiveness in as little as six months. Streaks or missed expanses of glass are sure signs that the blades are ready for retirement. We recommend replacing wiper blades as often as twice per year.
Winter Ready 360 degree vehicle Inspection:
We completely inspect your vehicle and make it ready for winter, which is completely Free. We would create a 360-degree vehicle inspection digital report like this one for your car. By using that report you see what to replace and repair. Contact us at 416-239-2911 or visit our website Bloor West Auto EuroMechanic to learn more about 360-degree vehicle Inspection.
