Winter is one of the harshest seasons for vehicles, so it’s critical that your car is in excellent condition to avoid mishaps on the road. These can cause stress and significant inconvenience. Let’s explore five important winter car care tips that you can follow.
1. Check and Maintain Your Tires
Inspect Tread Depth and Tire Condition
With snow, wet, and icy conditions, you want your car’s tires to be in top condition. First, check the tread depth to ensure it has enough tread to handle winter driving. Your tread depth should be at least 5/32 inches for the best grip.
You can use the penny test method, which involves inserting a coin into the tread and measuring its depth. When inserting a penny, ensure that Lincoln’s head is facing down. If you can see the top of his head, it means the tread lacks depth, and the tires need to be changed. Next, visually inspect the tires’ condition. Cracks, cuts, and bulges are not good signs and should be repaired to ensure safe winter driving.
Consider Winter Tires
Winter can bring icy road conditions, which can be hazardous while driving. You’ve probably seen videos online of cars skidding down the road during snowy winter weather. In these cases, winter tires can help reduce the hazards of icy roads.
Winter tires are designed with tread patterns and rubber compounds to improve traction and provide the extra grip required to drive safely in slippery conditions. Winter tires also allow you to save and extend your all-season tires for future use when the weather returns to normal.
Monitor Tire Pressure
Another important aspect of tires is their pressure. During the colder months, pressure levels can easily drop. That is why checking the pressure regularly with a reliable gauge is critical. You don’t want to drive through the winter with either underinflated or overinflated tires. Check the manufacturer’s manual for the recommended pressure level (PSI).
2. Keep Your Battery in Check
Our second winter car care tip is to keep your battery in check. Cold weather can reduce battery efficiency by up to 50%. With this reduced capacity, the car’s battery will have difficulty providing the power needed to run the engine. Replace older or weaker batteries to prevent your car from shutting down in the middle of the road and leaving you stranded in the cold.
3. Ensure Proper Fluids and Antifreeze Levels
Check Coolant Levels
Engine freezing is a major issue during the winter. It can cause your engine block to crack and ultimately damage the engine. Use antifreeze to keep the water in your cooling system from freezing.
The antifreeze-to-water ratio must also be correct to provide the best freeze and boil-over protection. During the winter, a 50:50 or 60:40 ratio is commonly recommended. However, to be sure, consult your vehicle’s manual for additional instructions.
Use Winter Windshield Washer Fluid
Winter windshield washer fluid performs various useful functions in winter conditions. First, it improves visibility by cleaning dirt, grime, and ice buildup more effectively than traditional washers.
Second, unlike regular washers, it has antifreeze properties that prevent it from freezing in the reservoir. These factors will help keep your windshield clean and clear, even in harsh winter weather.
Change Oil for Winter Conditions
Changing the oil for winter conditions is next on the list of important winter care tips. To optimize engine performance, switch to winter-grade oil. As previously stated, the engine works harder during the cold months, requiring extra care to keep it running smoothly.
Oil is like nutrition for the engine, so give it what it needs to keep performing during cold winter days.
4. Inspect Wipers and Lights
Wipers maintain visibility during rain and snow. However, they must also work effectively. Therefore, inspect the rubber blades and make sure they’re in good condition to remove dirt, snow, and other debris.
Your car’s lights also play a crucial role in enhancing visibility. Clean light covers help maximize brightness, improving your ability to see and be seen on the road. The combination of both can help you have better visibility, which is critical when driving in winter conditions, when it’s often hard to see, especially when it’s snowing heavily.
5. Create a Winter Emergency Kit
Must-Have Items
Preparation is key, and one key aspect is having a complete emergency kit ready for use when needed. In addition to vehicle items, the kit should include items for the people inside.
In your car, have jumper cables or a jump starter in case the battery dies, an ice scraper and shovel to help clear the snow, and traction aids such as sand and traction mats to help provide more traction on icy surfaces.
Personal supplies should include a flashlight with extra batteries to provide additional light in the dark, blankets to keep you warm, and snacks and water to keep you fueled if you become stranded and must wait for some time. You should always keep a first-aid kit on hand in case of an injury or other medical emergency.
Why Choose Rohrich for Your Winter Car Care Needs?
Rohrich Automotive should be your go-to source for everything related to cars, including maintenance! Our service centers can help solve any issue, from minor to major. We offer inspections, repairs, alignments, and more.
Our service centers are equipped with the latest equipment and skilled technicians ready to give your car the care it deserves and get it back to its prime condition, ready to ride through all kinds of conditions, including the cold winter weather! Contact us today, and let’s get to work!