Winterize your car with these tips before the snowy season
If you work from home, there’s a good chance your car has been sitting idle a lot more this year than it typically does. But even if you’re running less mileage through your car this year, it’s vital to stay on top of regular maintenance.
If your car is sitting idle for long periods, it’s even more important to check the basics. Verify that your tires are inflated to the proper pressure. Many oil change services also perform a basic inspection, so pay attention to the notes they give you, such as tire tread depth or how much time your brakes have left before the pads need to be replaced.
Here’s what to do to prepare your car for the snowy season.
- If you haven’t had your car inspected for a while, consider hiring a mechanic for a full winterization. They should test belts, hoses, brakes and battery, as well as all elements that will receive more winter wear and tear, such as spark plugs and delivery lines.
- Keep a close eye on your tires with every temperature change. Every 10-degree drop in temperature causes your tires to lose one pound per square inch of pressure, so tires that hold up well on a moderately cold day might lose traction on extremely cold days.
- Equip your car with an emergency kit that includes first aid supplies, battery jumper cables, shovel, blanket, flashlight, flares, mobile phone battery charger, repair tools, bottled water and high-energy snacks.
- Wash your car frequently. The salt road crews spread on ice is very effective at melting it, but it also corrodes metal components.
- Keep your windshield wipers clean and free of ice. Your best choice is to pull the wipers up and away from the windshield when not in use. If you forget and leave them in place, first pull them free of the windshield and remove any ice. If you don’t, and they’re stuck when you turn on the wiper control, the rubber on one or both blades could tear.
- Whenever you notice problems, whether it’s squealing brakes or an engine that hiccups on startup more and more often, don’t put off repairs.
7 key fluids to check before winter
The fluids in your car help ensure that its various components, the engine included, can operate at their peak. Before winter arrives, it’s essential to ensure they’re topped up. Here are seven fluids you need to check.
Motor oil: Motor oil lubricates and cleans the engine, thereby reducing friction between its moving parts. Wait about 15 minutes after turning your car off to check the oil level. When refilling the oil, gradually add small quantities until the maximum level has been reached.
Brake fluid: This hydraulic fluid is crucial to the functioning of your car’s brake system. When the brake fluid is running low, the brake warning light on your dashboard (an exclamation point inside a circle) should light up. The brake fluid reservoir is located at the rear of the engine compartment on the driver’s side.
Transmission fluid: Transmission fluid lubricates moving parts, facilitates gear shifts and cools the transmission. To check how much of this fluid your car has, start the engine and inspect the transmission dipstick, typically located on the driver’s side of the engine compartment. In some manual transmission cars, the dipstick is difficult to access and the task of checking the transmission is best left to a professional.
Coolant: Coolant prevents damage caused by boiling or freezing. The coolant reservoir is transparent and found near the radiator. It should never be opened while the radiator is hot. It’s recommended that you check the reservoir for leaks every few weeks and change the coolant according to your car manufacturer’s recommendations.
Gear oil: Also called differential fluid, gear oil lubricates the gears that transfer power from the driveshaft to the wheel axles. Get your gear oil level checked by a mechanic before winter.
Power steering fluid: Power steering fluid needs to be changed about every four years or when the liquid has turned light brown. The reservoir is located in the engine compartment and marked with a steering wheel symbol.
Windshield washer fluid: Make sure to keep an eye on your windshield washer fluid level. Winter road conditions can quickly cause a mess and being able to see clearly will keep you, your passengers and other road users safe.
