How to Look After Your Car in Winter!
Winter can be a challenging time for vehicle owners. Hazardous driving conditions and freezing temperatures can make it harder to keep your car running smoothly. It needs a little more special winter car service and maintenance during the cold months of winter.
Here are Some Useful Tips on How to Look After Your Car in Winter:
- Change oil and oil filter regularly. As with any time of the year, make sure you follow the recommendation for oil changes as specified in your owner’s manual. If your driving is mostly stop-and-go or frequent short trips, you may want to have an oil change more often. Ask your mechanic if you need to change the blend of oil for colder temperatures.
- Have the cooling system, heater and defroster checked. It needs to be properly operating to keep the passenger cabin free from fog and condensation. Good visibility for the driver and passenger comfort is very important. It may be time for a system flush to keep it in top condition.
- Replace old wiper blades: Driving with old blades is dangerous and can prevent you from seeing the road clearly. Replace old blades to maintain a safe field of vision. Stock up on windshield washer fluid that won’t freeze in cold temperatures and don’t forget to carry an ice scraper.
- Check your car battery: A weak battery will have no reserve power to start a car when temperatures drop. Make sure to replace a weak or dead battery so you don’t get stuck with a vehicle that refuses to start.
- Inspect all bulbs and lenses: Replace burned out bulbs and periodically clean road grime from all lenses.
- Examine tires: Check your tires for uneven wear and the sidewalls for cuts and nicks. Check tire pressure (when your tires are cool) at least once a week. Under-inflated tires make your engine work harder and use more fuel. Rotate your tires as recommended and make sure the wheels are in alignment.
- Keep an emergency kit stocked: For those times when an emergency cannot be prevented, be sure to have on hand extra gloves, boots, blankets, flares, a flashlight, cell phone and charger, sand or kitty litter, and tire chains. Don’t forget protein snacks and drinking water too!
Take these winter car service tips seriously so a dangerous situation stays a minor inconvenience! Contact our ASE Certified technicians at Heights Car Care today for more information about how to look after your car in winter and to schedule an appointment. Our auto shop proudly serves residents in the community of Heights, Billings, MT, and the surrounding area.
Winter can be a challenging time for vehicle owners. Hazardous driving conditions and freezing temperatures can make it harder to keep your car running smoothly. It needs a little more special winter car service and maintenance during the cold months of winter.
Here are Some Useful Tips on How to Look After Your Car in Winter:
- Change oil and oil filter regularly. As with any time of the year, make sure you follow the recommendation for oil changes as specified in your owner’s manual. If your driving is mostly stop-and-go or frequent short trips, you may want to have an oil change more often. Ask your mechanic if you need to change the blend of oil for colder temperatures.
- Have the cooling system, heater and defroster checked. It needs to be properly operating to keep the passenger cabin free from fog and condensation. Good visibility for the driver and passenger comfort is very important. It may be time for a system flush to keep it in top condition.
- Replace old wiper blades: Driving with old blades is dangerous and can prevent you from seeing the road clearly. Replace old blades to maintain a safe field of vision. Stock up on windshield washer fluid that won’t freeze in cold temperatures and don’t forget to carry an ice scraper.
- Check your car battery: A weak battery will have no reserve power to start a car when temperatures drop. Make sure to replace a weak or dead battery so you don’t get stuck with a vehicle that refuses to start.
- Inspect all bulbs and lenses: Replace burned out bulbs and periodically clean road grime from all lenses.
- Examine tires: Check your tires for uneven wear and the sidewalls for cuts and nicks. Check tire pressure (when your tires are cool) at least once a week. Under-inflated tires make your engine work harder and use more fuel. Rotate your tires as recommended and make sure the wheels are in alignment.
- Keep an emergency kit stocked: For those times when an emergency cannot be prevented, be sure to have on hand extra gloves, boots, blankets, flares, a flashlight, cell phone and charger, sand or kitty litter, and tire chains. Don’t forget protein snacks and drinking water too!
Take these winter car service tips seriously so a dangerous situation stays a minor inconvenience! Contact our ASE Certified technicians at Heights Car Care today for more information about how to look after your car in winter and to schedule an appointment. Our auto shop proudly serves residents in the community of Heights, Billings, MT, and the surrounding area.
