6 Important Car Maintenance Tips for Winter

With winter looming just around the corner, ensuring the correct car maintenance for the upcoming low temperatures is highly recommended. With proper care, drivers can expect their vehicle to perform optimally throughout the winter and welcome the next spring in perfect condition. But what exactly does winter car maintenance entail?

Since biting cold weather can have a significantly adverse effect on any car, taking preemptive measures is imperative. Here are six of the most beneficial tips that will help ensure a vehicle survives the winter:

Have the car serviced

The cold can harm both the interior and exterior of a car. However, many of the problems caused by the cold can be prevented by timely servicing. Have the vehicle serviced before the winter to make sure everything is in great shape.

Inspect the battery

The battery suffers on two fronts during the winter: the cold temperatures reduce its output, and it faces extra strain due to the increased use of the heater and lights. As a result, the battery might have trouble starting, meaning that it requires a check.

Mount winter tires

Winter tires are specially designed to withstand harsh winter conditions due to increased traction and greater directional stability at high speeds. As such, they are superior to summer tires that don’t feature such deep groves.

Considering this, adding winter tires ensures much safer driving.

Pour antifreeze into the engine coolant

The engine coolant contains equal parts of antifreeze and water. Over time, it becomes diluted, which is why it’s necessary to add antifreeze.

A grave error motorists should avoid is topping the coolant with water, making the antifreeze over-diluted. Consequently, the antifreeze freezes and the engine can overheat, resulting in an expensive visit to a mechanic.

Wash the wipers and windshield

Clean the windshield thoroughly and add antifreeze to the screen washer fluid. Additionally, check if the wiper blades have any tears and nicks. Look for chips in the windshield and bodywork to prevent salt deposits from latching onto them.

Check the bottom

Many cars feature low-hanging air dams and underbody panels that can encounter problems during the winter. For instance, they can be completely ripped off if a vehicle is passing over a snowdrift.

For that reason, check for any loose parts hanging from the bottom of the car and see if they can be popped back into place with duct tape or a zip tie.

Better safe than sorry

The most common issues drivers face, such as freezing and slipping tires, can be prevented with regular maintenance. Therefore, start making all the adjustments mentioned in this article in good time, and the car will waltz through the winter.

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