Before the winter weather arrives, we’ve got a checklist of items that will keep you safe on the road during inclement weather and icy conditions. If you need support or to schedule a maintenance appointment, feel free to call our service center and we’ll help you get your car winter ready!
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Survey the windshield and wiper blades for any signs of damage. Bring your car in for a windshield ding/crack repair before it gets chilly and cracks further. Replace any damaged wiper blades with new ones. Apply a thin coat of hydrophobic coating such as Rain-X. And refill your wiper fluid with one designed for colder temps and is also hydrophobic.
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Schedule an appointment to have your brakes inspected and tires rotated so that you can drive confidently knowing you can stop short on a dime and be safe in treacherous weather conditions. If they need service or replacing, prioritize this repair before the snow and icy weather rolls in.
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Test your heating and ventilation and defrosting systems to ensure they’re properly functioning. There’s nothing worse than getting into a freezing cold car and having to commute! And it’s no good to have a window fog up or freeze over while driving due to lack of properly working defrosters. Call for a service appointment to have your mechanic get it working in tip-top shape before the temps drop too low.
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Check the underside of your car for rust, loose pipes, loose wires, or anything that might be wiggling and flopping about and causing an issue. Schedule a maintenance appointment for anything that looks rusted, torn, flapping, or otherwise out of place. This will prevent winter weather, ice, or cold temps from cracking items further and leading to costly repairs.
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Get your car professionally washed and polished. When you get home, give the vehicle a once over to check the paint on your vehicle for ships, scratches, cracks, and other physical damage that has occurred over the last few seasons. If you find any, clean the spots with rubbing alcohol or acetone and fill in the spaces with a pot of touch-up paint or paint pen from your car’s manufacturer or the local automotive supply shop. This will help prevent rust and further damage from bad weather and road salts.
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Check your fluid levels and make sure everything is in tip-top shape. Check hoses for any signs of wear and replace anything that is cracked, worn, or shows any sign of damage. Schedule a regular oil and filter change. Have the coolant/antifreeze flushed and filled if need be as well to prepare for the drop in temperatures.
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Check your tires for adequate tread depth, replace cracked valve caps, and ensure there are no signs of wear and tear that could lead to flat tires or cause you to lose control if stopping short in icy conditions. Be sure to properly inflate your tires as well, as the decrease in temperatures can cause them to lose air pressure. You may even want to consider a pair of winter weather tires if you live in an area prone to lots of snow.
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Gather supplies to create a winter-weather safety kit. Your kit should include: an ice scraper and brush, a rechargeable battery jump start kit, a small or foldable snow shovel, a crank operated or battery powered flashlight with LED, a small container of road salt or kitty litter, a clean set of warm clothing, spare gloves and hat and scarf, a thick warm blanket and a towel or two. In case you get stranded, all of these things can come in handy to keep you safe, dry, and warm until help arrives. For an added bonus, you can get a pair of Tire Traction mats to place under the tires and afford you some extra grip on the road
