Winter Car Issues That Require Maintenance

You might have prepared yourself for winter setting in and plummeting Maryland temperatures, but is your car ready for the harsh weather? At Koons Clarksville Chevrolet Buick GMC, we have everything you need to winterize your vehicle. Here, we’ll offer you some tips for making your car winter-ready. Following these steps will help keep you safe on the Clarksville roads and save you money.

Have Your Car Serviced

If your car is coming due for a service, it’s a good idea to get it done ahead of the cold weather. Schedule a service at Koons Clarksville Chevrolet Buick GMC, and our highly qualified technicians will make sure your car is in the best possible shape for the cold winter months. Even if you don’t have a service due, you can still bring your car to us for a winter tuneup, which could pick up any potential problems before they happen. 

Keep Your Car Clean and Protected

The salt covering Maryland’s wintry roads is great at keeping them ice-free, but it’s not good for your car’s paintwork. Washing and waxing your car is like giving it a winter coat that protects it from the harmful corrosive effects of salt and dirt. While it might seem like a chore at the best of times, you should wash and wax your car at least twice each month to prevent dirt and grime from building up and damaging your paintwork.

While you’re at it, use a pressure washer on the hard-to-reach parts, like the wheel arches and the underside of the car. It’s important to see and be seen in the dark winter nights, so keep all your lights and windows clean. Before every journey, make sure that all your windows are completely clear of snow and ice.

Change Your Wipers

It’s no good having a clean windshield if your wipers are worn out. You’ll be left with smeared glass and poor visibility. If you haven’t changed your wipers recently, you should replace them before the harsh weather sets in. When the temperature drops below freezing, always check that your wipers are can move freely before hitting the road. If your wipers are frozen stuck to the windshield, the blades might tear when you turn the wipers on, meaning you’ll need a new set. 

Check Your Fluid Levels

It’s always important for your car’s vital fluids to be at the correct level, but even more so in the winter. Check the engine oil, transmission fluid, brake fluid, and power steering fluid — or have the expert technicians at Koons Clarksville Chevrolet Buick GMC do it for you. They can also check your cooling system to make sure it’s got the right mixture of water and antifreeze to keep it working properly all winter. Don’t forget to keep your wiper fluid topped off, as that’ll help you keep your windshield clear of the winter salt and grime.

Switch to Winter Tires 

Before the snow starts to fall, swap your regular tires for a set of winter tires. With their softer rubber compound and special tread pattern, winter tires stay more flexible in lower temperatures to give you better grip in icy and snowy conditions. 

You also need to check your tire pressure regularly. As the temperature drops, so does your tire pressure. However, make sure you don’t overinflate your tires, as that will reduce their grip on the road. It’s a good idea to keep a portable air compressor in the trunk in case your tires need an urgent top-up.

Check the Battery

One of the worst scenarios, and sadly a common one, is trying to start your car only to find that the battery’s dead. You could find yourself stranded in the cold waiting for a tow truck to arrive. Freezing temperatures take a toll on the battery. Winter also makes the battery work much harder as you need to crank up the heat and use the lights and wipers more often. Keep your battery in good condition by making sure the connections aren’t dirty or corroded. 

A battery should last around four years with normal use. But if you haven’t replaced it recently, it’s worth bringing your car to Koons Clarksville Chevrolet Buick GMC to have our technicians check your battery’s health. If they recommend replacing it, check our service specials for a deal on a new battery.

Have Your Belts and Hoses Inspected

The winter is also tough on your car’s belts and hoses, so you should have them inspected. The belts need to be at the right tension and not cracked or damaged. Check the cooling system hoses for any signs of bulging or cracking that could mean they’re about to burst, leaving you with a serious leak.

Inspect the Cabin Air Filter

You need your HVAC system to be in tip-top condition for those cold winter days. If your vehicle’s cabin air filter is dirty, it makes the system work harder and can slow down the defogging of your windows. It will also stop filtering out dust, pollutants, and allergens in the air, and you might get a stale smell throughout your cabin. If necessary, you can get a replacement cabin air filter at Koons Clarksville Chevrolet Buick GMC.

Carry An Emergency Kit

Even with the best preparation, something can go wrong and leave you stranded. Put together an emergency kit and keep it in the trunk, ready for that unexpected situation. As a minimum, the kit should have a flashlight, jumper cables, a tire patch kit, a portable compressor, reflective triangles or road flares, and a first-aid kit. 

Keep a supply of gloves and blankets for warmth, as well as drinking water and snacks, in case you have to wait for help to arrive. Kitty litter or traction pads help give you more traction if you’re stuck on snow or ice. And don’t forget a charger for your phone, so you can stay in touch.

If you have any questions about making your car winter-ready, visit the service center at Koons Clarksville Chevrolet Buick GMC today. Alternatively, use the convenient online form to schedule a service. We’re always ready and willing to help.

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Image via Flickr by OregonDOT

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