How To Get Your Car Ready For Winter
When the temperatures drop and winter is on its way, you need to start preparing your home and vehicle for the season. With your vehicle, winterizing it allows you to protect its different systems and avoid potential incidents while on the road. Here are some tips for preparing your vehicle for winter.
Prepare the Engine Oil and Coolant
You first need to get the engine ready for the ice-cold season, beginning with the engine oil. If you are using the wrong type of engine oil, it might not change temperatures as it is supposed to when the weather outside gets colder. Use a thinner oil in the winter season, which tends to run smoother and keeps up with the change of temperature in the winter. Your local auto supply store can give you recommendation for a good oil, depending on the type of vehicle you have. It is also important to consider the type of coolant you have in your vehicle. Like the oil, certain types of coolant are better for cold weather, such as coolant with ethylene glycol in it.
Consider Winter Tires
Winter tires, also called snow tires, may also be needed in order to prepare your car for winter. Not only are they necessary if you live somewhere that gets a lot of snow and ice on the road, but they have a special grip that helps with the cold pavement. They tend to better than all-season tires if you live somewhere that might have a lot of icy roads. If you live in a mild climate, the winter might not have a lot of snow. In this case, all-season tires may be good enough, but ask an auto professional to find out for sure.
Have the Battery Tested
The cold weather, especially when it gets below freezing, can be hard on your car battery. It is a good idea to have it tested before the weather starts changing and find out if you need a new battery or if the cables and terminals need to be tended to. If you have a lot of corrosion and build up on the terminals, you might have issues with the battery while you are driving. You also don't want a battery that freezes when the car is parked, which leaves you stranded in a snowstorm. If you know the battery is old, now is the perfect time to replace it.
It is also a good idea to use a windshield washer fluid with antifreeze in it so you can easily clear off the windows and get rid of icy film.