How to Prepare Your Car for Winter? (Part 2)

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In How to Prepare Your Car for Winter? (Part 1), I discussed that all car owners should take the needed steps to winterize their cars. The tips shared were regarding the car’s battery, tires, antifreeze, cooling systems, and lastly, windshield wipers.  So, today, I will talk about the rest of the ways to make your vehicles ready for the cold weather.

TAKE A LOOK AT THE BRAKE PADS AND ITS BRAKE FLUID pine trees covered with snow

  • Examine your fluid levels and brake pads to make sure they are still in good condition.
  • If there is a damage, then, change the damaged pads and rotors. 

SCRUTINIZE YOUR HEATER AND DEFROSTER 

  • Simply turn on the heater and defroster and then off it to see if they are working well.

INSPECT YOUR BRAKE PADS AND ITS’FLUID

  • Examine the levels of your brake fluid. Find out if the brake pads has damaged.
  • Change the rotors and pads.

WIPE MISTY HEADLIGHTS

  • Headlights and all other lights in your car should be clean and performing adequately.
  • Wipe the lights before you drive in any kind of wet weather.
  • Change headlights that are misty, blurred or broken to increase its clarity.

TAKE A LOOK AT THE MOTOR OIL

  • Replace motor oil and filter following the right gaps.
  • Heavy oil hardens in decreased temperature and will not be able to lubricate so it is time to think of switching to “winter weight.”

TAKE A LOOK AT THE EXHAUST SYSTEM

  • Change if not fix the leaks and pleat pipes to aid in holding carbon monoxide out of the passenger compartment of the car.

MAINTAIN THE GAS TANK AT A MINIMUM OF HALF FULL

  • Make sure you have, more or less, half tank of gas. This will ensure that the wetness in the gas line will not freeze. This will make starting of your car easy even during the cold season.

FROM TIME TO TIME CLEAN YOUR CAR

  • Wash your car even during cold season. This will help hinder the road salt to harming the paint of your vehicle.
  • Use a fresh coat of wax to prevent corrosion.
  • To make sure that you can see well while driving, remove the ice and snow from the hood, head and taillights, and roof before you use your vehicle.
  • Use floor mats that are good for winter to shield the carpets of your car.

HAVE A TUNE UP

  • Make it a habit to do regular maintenance as prescribed by your owner’s manual. The condition of the atmosphere has an effect on the performance of your car, and it is more relevant doing the periodical maintenance before the winter season. A professional mechanic should check your car, everything we discussed but you should not forget to check on the hoses, belts, and spark plugs.

There are some things you should also have, such as winter emergency kit and the appropriate auto insurance coverage. This will make you confident driving on winter roads.

Finding the Right Auto Shop

You can depend on Chaney’s Collision Center to take a look at your vehicle to make sure it is winterize. Chaney’s Collision Center has a number of skilled collision technicians and state-of-the-art equipment to do the necessary repair. Because of the COVID-19 situation, you can schedule ahead of time and call  Chaney’s Collision Center at (623) 915-2886.