All posts tagged winter car

Garage-Less Care: What the Cold Weather Can Do to Your Car

by Carsurfer Admin on 2015/12/07 in Auto Care with Comments Off on Garage-Less Care: What the Cold Weather Can Do to Your Car

As winter is approaching, most of us are busy with holiday preparations and house winterization, and though your car is loved and used every day, you probably don’t think about things you could do to winterize it like you would for a house. If you don’t have a garage to store your car in, then it’s going to need some extra attention. It’s important to take the necessary steps to care for your car before and during the winter.

Batteries Die

In order to avoid being late for work because your car won’t start, check your battery before winter hits. The terminals should be clean and tight. Batteries also need to be replaced every three to five years. If you’ve reached that time frame, find a new battery made to survive in cold temperatures.

Tires Lose Pressure

As the air starts to cool between seasons, the lowering temperatures causes tires to lose pressure. The wrong tire pressure will lower the road performance of your car and not only can that cause damage to your tires, but could cause failure during snowy and icy conditions. The best way to prevent this is by checking your tire pressure weekly. It may be a hassle, but tire gauges are cheap, and many gas stations offer free air.

Fluids Thicken

The cold temperatures not only turn rain drops into snowflakes, but it also thicken up the fluids that help your car run smoothly. Some of these fluids need to be able to move quickly around the engine for the car to properly start and run. Before winter even arrives, check all the fluids in your car to make sure they’re in good condition. You can also buy products that are made specifically for cold temperatures. Throughout the winter months, be aware of the condition your fluids are in and always top off before a long drive.

Without a garage to hide your car in, the winter cold can bring a lot of damage. Between a loss in tire pressure, a dead battery, and some thick fluids, you could end up having to pay a lot to fix some pretty preventative problems. And paying for anything right after the holidays is never fun. See if your local auto parts store or Newgate School can recommend any tips for preparing a vehicle for winter. If you take the time to look after your car before winter arrives, then maybe you can save yourself some heartache.

Creative Car Care: What to Think About with an Outdoor Car This Winter

by Carsurfer Admin on 2015/01/19 in Auto Maintenance with Comments Off on Creative Car Care: What to Think About with an Outdoor Car This Winter

When the winter months roll around, it is crucial you prepare your outdoor car for the frigid temperatures. After all, the way you would winterize your home or garden, your car needs protection from the weather as well. While it may seem like a hassle at the time, it is definitely worth all the energy, time, and money you’d have to spend otherwise.

Visit Your Mechanic

The first step you should take in preparing for winter driving is taking your car to the local mechanic. There, you should get your battery, brakes, heater, defroster, thermostat, and antifreeze levels checked. Each of these parts of the car are vital for getting around in the winter, and the last thing you want is any of those systems to be malfunctioning. You also want to take a look at your tires. Tires should have a good amount of tread left on them. If they appear worn, though, get rid of them, and put in new snow tires so you have better traction and can take on whatever kinds of severe weather conditions are thrown your way.

Lights

Another important measure you must take is inspecting your automobile’s lights. These lights allow you to see clearly no matter how much snow, hail, and rain is coming down. If they’re not working properly, you’re putting yourself and those you love in harm’s way. As part of this step, you must make sure that both the front and rear lights are in top shape. This includes your car’s flashing hazard lights.

Windshield Fluid

Oftentimes in the winter, the windshield fluid in your vehicle freezes up. While some may choose to just deal with this issue in the spring, you can’t. You need the windshield fluid while driving, so instead exchange the fluid with one that is ideal for freezing conditions. In fact, there are some windshield fluids that are made specifically for spraying in below freezing temperatures.

Locks

Lastly, it’s very common for doors to get frozen shut in the winter months. Not only this, but a lot of times car owners have trouble getting their keys into the locks on the door. To avoid these types of issues altogether, you should hire a locksmith in Newmarket to take a look at your vehicle. This way they can perform the lock services needed so that you experience no difficulty throughout the winter. According to Affordable Lock Services Inc, you can even spray them with anti-freezing agents to get in easier each morning.

When it comes to your car, it is important that you employ the proper care in the winter. This will help you in so many different aspects so your car runs properly. Don’t wait until it’s too late, instead protect your car before anything happens.