5 Must-do Tasks to Prepare Your Car for Winter  

Winter brings forth a lot of changes. And with these changes come new to-do lists and a lot of tasks and chores. And these chores have to be faced. You can’t disregard what you know is coming. Cold temperatures, strong winds, freezing rain, ice, sleet and many, many inches of snow are inevitable.

Winters’ challenges confront your home, your lifestyle, your ability to get from point A to point B and they certainly affect your car. But you can be ready for whatever winter has in store if you take some time before it’s too late to get your vehicle in top shape for winter.

The good news is that it’s not that overwhelming when you create a checklist.

Here are the 5 things you must do to get your car ready for winter.

Check your battery.

How old is your battery? Do you remember or do you have it documented when you had a new battery installed? Hopefully, you do. Batteries are generally reliable for 150,000 miles or five years, whichever comes first. But, that’s just a rule of thumb. Winter is tougher on a battery than summer. Cold weather has that effect on just about everything. When you start your car on a bitter cold day it’s a bit different than when you start it on a beautiful summer day.

To check your battery, have a voltage test to see how well it’s holding a charge. Also, you want to ensure that your battery’s terminals are free of corrosion.

Check your antifreeze.

Like your battery, in a majority of newer cars, antifreeze is projected to last for 150,000 miles or up to five years. But, check this fluid anyway. You want your engine block to sustain an even temperature. But, in addition to regulating the temperature, antifreeze helps prevent corrosion so make it a point to always check the level of your antifreeze – not only in winter, but throughout the year.

Prepare a survival kit. Put together a bag, or box with essential survival items. You never know if you’ll end up stranded on the highway because it’s become impassable or there’s been an accident that’s put every vehicle at a standstill. You want to include items like a flashlight, jumper cables, a first aid kit, flares, bottled water, non-perishable snacks and food, a warm blanket, and a cellphone charger.

Check your tires. It doesn’t matter what type of vehicle you have, your tires are vital, and they must be maintained for ultimate performance. If you don’t have “state of the art” tires, makes sure your all-season tires are reliable. Remember, for every drop in temperature of 10 degrees (Fahrenheit), your tires will lose a pound of pressure. When your tires are under inflated, they won’t’ grab the road efficiently and your ability to drive optimally will be diminished.

Check your lights.

Being able to see is as vital as having your tires properly inflated. Since the sun is less of an issue during winter, you need to focus on being able to see at dusk, dark and in the midst of blinding snowstorms and white outs. So, check your headlights. In addition, to ensure you have the best possible visibility in all winter conditions, do the following:  keep your washer fluid level full at all times; use high quality wiper blades and replace them at the first sign of being worn; make sure you have a quality scraper and brush to keep your windows free of snow and ice.

Looking for an Auto Repair Center near Fraser, Michigan?

Car Guys Auto Center is located at 32639 Groesbeck Hwy., Fraser.  Give us a call for all your auto repair needs at 586-285-4444.