It’s essential to ensure your vehicle is ready for winter as the weather gets colder. Doing things like Verify the battery. You should change the oil and top off fluids, such as windshield wiper liquid. It is also a good idea that your tires are inspected and, if required, winterized. Special compounds are used to grip tires in snowy or icy conditions. These steps can save you money in the long-term by avoiding costly repairs down the line. You will be safer on the roads in winter thanks to these steps. When the temperature drops, make sure you give your vehicle some extra care.
Winterizing Checks and Vehicle Maintenance
anta’s sleigh is right around the corner, and that means that your own vehicle might be over/due for vehicle maintenance.
To arrive at your holiday destination safely, it is important to perform regular vehicle maintenance.
It could also make a difference whether you get to your destination on time or are stuck in the snow.
Four Winterizing Checks to Make Your Vehicle Safe
Before the 1980s and the Reagan years winterizing your vehicle for the winter was essential to preventing parts from falling apart – or outright falling into the road!
Modern cars are more resilient, but that doesn’t mean you should wave off Vehicle maintenance. Here are some checks that All Around mechanics will perform. Auto Repair can quickly run on your vehicle during vehicle maintenance.
Make sure to check the Battery
The fact is that lower temperatures are still harder on your car’s battery, so having your battery checked when you get vehicle maintenance is key. In colder weather, the actual chemical reactions required to create power in your car’s battery are more difficult.
The problem can be a double whammy since cold weather can halve the amp-hour capacity of your battery. Coupled with that lower capacity, your vehicle actually requires more current to get started in frigid temperatures.
All Around Auto Repair offers vehicle maintenance services that include a battery load testing to determine the strength and need for replacement. It is a great choice any time of the year, but especially during winter.
Check your Air Pressure
When you make your pit stop at All Around Auto Repair for vehicle maintenance you’ll likely get your tires rotated and wheel alignment to ensure even treadwear.
While your tire pressure will also be checked at vehicle maintenance, you should know that colder temperatures generally will affect your vehicle’s tire pressure.
In the sense that you could save yourself a lot by being forewarned, knowing that your tires can lose approximately one PSI for every ten degrees drop in ambient temperature will help you to avoid a lot of trouble later.
A drop of thirty to forty degrees could place your tires in danger. Underinflated tires generally will suffer from problems like overheating and premature wear since you’re getting too much friction; the chance of tire failure also goes up with underinflated tires.
Underinflated tires in the winter can paradoxically increase your braking time and cause you to skid out on wet pavement, so making sure that your tire pressure matches the manufacturer’s recommendation is paramount.
Check internal belts and hoses
Cold weather can impact the timing belt and tank engine performance. Fact is, both hoses as well as the belts are affected by changes in weather conditions.
Your vehicle’s belts and hoses are made from parts that respond to temperature; temperature changes can, in turn, affect the pressure and tension of belts and hoses, causing poor calibration or damage if left unchecked.
Verify the Fluid Levels and Viscosity
To prevent coolant from freezing, ensure that the antifreeze/water ratio is evenly distributed. Your engine needs oil lubrication to keep it running properly.
Although it might be fun to go sledding outside, the cold temperatures can cause oil thickening and other problems.
Cold weather can cause engine problems. Because oil is thicker in colder weather, and it has a harder job circulating through the engine like it should. Oil that doesn’t circulate as easily could mean that your car will have a hard time getting started.
You might consider asking the mechanics at All Around Auto Repair about getting a thinner oil for the colder weather so that you don’t have any issues as the mercury drops.
Local mechanics will know which oil is best for your vehicle and driving conditions. Schedule an appointment today by calling (707) 837 – 0646 or clicking here for vehicle maintenance this winter.