5 Car Maintenance Tips for Winter

The winter months can be challenging for some people, but that doesn’t mean it has to be challenging on your car. As the colder months bring the snow, ice, and freezing temperatures, you’ll need to make sure your car is up to date on its winter maintenance to ensure it’ll be up for the challenge. 

During the transition to the winter season, we alter our wardrobe to keep us warm and ready to brave the cold weather, and your car needs the same care! Your vehicle will need a routine maintenance check to make sure everything is running smoothly. Continue reading to learn five crucial tips for winter car maintenance!

1. Check Your Tires and Tire Pressure

Installing winter tires on your vehicle is an important step in preparing your car to drive in winter conditions. Winter tires are made with tread rubber that stays pliable in cold weather for better control and traction when driving in snowy/icy conditions (not that we get too much of this in the Carolinas). They also have a different tread pattern than all-season tires. Their deeper tread depth helps to ensure more control, which comes in handy when you’re trying to maintain traction in slushy conditions. 

It’s also important to make sure that your car’s tires are adequately inflated. Tires lose one pound of pressure per every drop in 10 degrees Fahrenheit. Under inflated tires can’t get the correct grip they need on the road to get you where you need to go safely. Your tires should be top priority!

2. Test Your Car Battery

Cold weather starts (trying to start your engine when it’s cold) really takes a toll on your car’s battery life. Plus, if your battery was giving you trouble in the warm summer months, chances are it will completely fail on you once temperatures reach freezing. In fact, freezing weather can drop your battery’s power by 30% to 60%. That’s why it’s so important to check the status of your battery before the winter weather gets an icy grip on it! 

For a battery that will last all winter, be sure your battery is sufficiently charged and that its terminals are corrosion-free. With the right tools this can be done at home, or can be taken care of at our service shop! 

3. Inspect Your Brakes

Road conditions tend to become hazardous when they’re covered in a layer of ice and snow. It is important to have your brakes inspected, especially prior to the winter months. Car owners should bring their vehicle in to have their brakes inspected, especially if you plan on taking a road trip. Our technicians will check your brake fluid levels, and will check your brake pads to see if they are worn and need replacing.

4. Get New Wiper Blades

In preparation for winter weather, people often overlook wiper blades since they are relatively inexpensive. However, replacing your wiper blades are an important part of making sure your car is in the best condition for winter.

Learn more: The Importance of Windshield Wipers

5. Pack a Winter Safety Kit

In the case that you’ve taken all of these preventative measures and something still happens to your car, it’s crucial that you have a winter safety kit stored somewhere in your car. Your safety kit should include common tools and supplies to help you in any situation. It’s always better to be safe than sorry, so here are a few things to include in your winter safety kit: 

• Blankets, mittens, socks, and hats
• Ice scraper and snow brush
• Flashlight and batteries
• Jumper cables
• First-aid kit
• Tire chains

Take the Pressure Off Your Shoulders and Schedule a Maintenance Check

The best and easiest way to make sure your car’s winter maintenance is taken care of is to schedule a routine maintenance check by a certified technician. Taking your car in to be serviced is crucial to having peace of mind while driving this winter.

Here at M&L, we offer incredible service at an unbeatable price. Schedule an appointment with us today so we can make sure your ride is winter ready!