All posts in Auto Maintenance

Fall is here, and that means it’s time to think about prepping for winter. The cold weather brings with it more than a few inconveniences, and knowing how to prevent yourself from being inconvenienced is the best gift you can give yourself.

The impending holidays and your busy schedule make it easy to forget you have to prepare your car for winter. Nothing is more annoying than waking up on a cold morning only to realize your car isn’t working properly because you forget to maintain a few of the most important basics. It’s still early, so there’s plenty of time to prepare so you have nothing to do this winter but enjoy the quality time with your family.

Put Together Winter Emergency Supplies

Winter weather in many parts of the country can be quite bad at times. There is nothing you can do to stop bad weather, but you can prevent yourself from becoming a victim of bad weather stranded in your car. You can’t predict a breakdown or accident during the winter, but you can be prepared to survive it. All of your vehicles need a winter emergency kit. A duffel bag or Rubbermaid container in the trunk should include flashlights, a blanket or two, gloves, a hat, and water.

Your emergency kit also needs to contain a bag of sand to use in snow and ice. It works well to provide traction for your tires. An ice scraper is always helpful, and it’s important to keep snacks that won’t go bad in the car for months at a time. Keeping yourself safe in case you are broken down or stranded is imperative.

Replace Your Tires

Not all vehicles need new tires, but it’s always a good idea to check. Snow tires are required in some areas, but all tires should be in good condition. If your tread is low or your tires aren’t in good condition, now is the time to replace them. Driving on imperfect tires in winter weather is a recipe for disaster.

Maintain Your Radiator

A working radiator is imperative in the winter. If your radiator is acting up, not working properly, or it’s just old, it might be time to consider replacing it with a new one. Some companies, like Natrad, know that your car runs better and more efficiently, and that you’ll be safer when you have a working radiator. It’s not one of those maintenance items you want to put off until later.

Change Your Windshield Wiper Fluid

If you live where winter weather is cold and dangerous, you need to have the proper windshield wiper fluid. People who live in cold climates know this, but anyone new to a cold area of the country might not be aware their fluid is dangerous in the winter. Special winter fluid is what you need to prevent your windshield from freezing, and it works to clear your windshield when it’s frozen and covered.

Cold weather means making important changes. Most of the prep you need to do to your car to get it ready for winter is minor and can be handled with one simple phone call. Make an appointment to have these things handled, or schedule some time to do it yourself before it’s too late.