Thanks to an early cold front, we are all mindful that winter is coming on hard and strong here in Central Texas. It’s time to winterize your car. If you need car repair, Temple, TX or car repair, Belton, TX then let’s make that happen now before you break down on the side of the road in the cold. Let us show you how to winterize your car the right way.
Looking at ways you can prepare your car for winter and what you’ll need to tell your mechanic when you walk in there or maybe you can do most of this yourself.
The Car Care Council recommends the following steps on how to winterize your car:
Have the battery and charging system checked for optimum performance. Cold weather is hard on batteries.
Clean, flush and put new antifreeze in the cooling system. As a general rule of thumb, this should be done every two years.
Make sure heaters, defrosters and wipers work properly. Consider winter wiper blades and use cold weather washer fluid. As a general rule, wiper blades should be replaced every six months.
Check the tire tread depth and tire pressure. During winter, tire pressure should be checked weekly.
Be diligent about changing the oil and filter at recommended intervals. Dirty oil can spell trouble in winter. Have your technician check the fuel, air and transmission filters at the same time.
If you’re due for a tune-up, have it done before winter sets in. Winter magnifies existing problems such as pings, hard starts, sluggish performance or rough idling.
Have the brakes checked. The braking system is the vehicle’s most important safety item.
Have the exhaust system checked for carbon monoxide leaks, which can be especially dangerous during cold weather driving when windows are closed.
Check to see that exterior and interior lights work and headlights are properly aimed.