Why is Vehicle Maintenance Important in Winter?
There is still plenty of winter weather to come so remember it’s important that your car is up to the challenge! Preventative vehicle maintenance is important in any season, but your winter car maintenance is crucial. Ask your mechanic what should be on your winter car maintenance checklist.
Why is vehicle maintenance important? Here are a few reasons to consider:
- Longevity. Checking the fluid levels, lights, brakes, and battery regularly helps your car run stronger and longer.
- Safety. A well-running car is a safer car for you, your passengers, and other motorists.
- Saves you Money. A well-maintained car will run better and get better gas mileage. Proper tire pressure, regular oil changes, and clean filters will improve fuel efficiency.
Here are several items that should be in your trunk:
- Winter wipers – These wipers are designed to use a rubber that keeps ice from collecting on them. They are heavier than regular wipers so remove them when spring arrives to prevent burning out the motor.
- Check Car Battery – Cold temperatures reduce a battery’s cranking power. For example, a battery has only half the cranking power at 0° F than at 80° F.
- Winter/snow tires – You may be wise to install winter tires if you have to do a lot of driving on snow. These tires use special compounds engineered to resist hardening in cold temperatures, providing better traction.
- Keep washer fluid reservoir full – You will use a lot of windshield washer fluid driving in snow and ice. Keep extra in the trunk.
- Winter safety kit – Include an ice scraper, bag of sand and a shovel, cell phone and charger, flares, extra antifreeze, flashlight and batteries, snacks and water, and a tool kit (including jumper cables, lug wrench, and jack), blankets and extra warm clothing.
- Keep up with regular vehicle maintenance – For example, have that needed oil change, replace the battery, radiator inspection, correct antifreeze to water ratio, belts, and hoses, spark plugs, wires, and cables. Any of these items can go bad any time of year, but if they go bad during the winter, you could be stranded in a very cold place.
- Fill up the tank – A full fuel tank helps prevent gas-line freeze-ups.
- Keep rear-window defroster in working order – Being unable to see behind you could create unsafe driving conditions.
Need to know more about why is vehicle maintenance important? Contact our ASE-certified technicians today at Express Auto Service & Repair for more information about truck and vehicle maintenance and to schedule an appointment. Our auto shop serves vehicle owners in Mankato, MN, and the neighboring communities of North Mankato, MN, New Ulm, MN, and St. Peter, MN.
There is still plenty of winter weather to come so remember it’s important that your car is up to the challenge! Preventative vehicle maintenance is important in any season, but your winter car maintenance is crucial. Ask your mechanic what should be on your winter car maintenance checklist.
Why is vehicle maintenance important? Here are a few reasons to consider:
- Longevity. Checking the fluid levels, lights, brakes, and battery regularly helps your car run stronger and longer.
- Safety. A well-running car is a safer car for you, your passengers, and other motorists.
- Saves you Money. A well-maintained car will run better and get better gas mileage. Proper tire pressure, regular oil changes, and clean filters will improve fuel efficiency.
Here are several items that should be in your trunk:
- Winter wipers – These wipers are designed to use a rubber that keeps ice from collecting on them. They are heavier than regular wipers so remove them when spring arrives to prevent burning out the motor.
- Check Car Battery – Cold temperatures reduce a battery’s cranking power. For example, a battery has only half the cranking power at 0° F than at 80° F.
- Winter/snow tires – You may be wise to install winter tires if you have to do a lot of driving on snow. These tires use special compounds engineered to resist hardening in cold temperatures, providing better traction.
- Keep washer fluid reservoir full – You will use a lot of windshield washer fluid driving in snow and ice. Keep extra in the trunk.
- Winter safety kit – Include an ice scraper, bag of sand and a shovel, cell phone and charger, flares, extra antifreeze, flashlight and batteries, snacks and water, and a tool kit (including jumper cables, lug wrench, and jack), blankets and extra warm clothing.
- Keep up with regular vehicle maintenance – For example, have that needed oil change, replace the battery, radiator inspection, correct antifreeze to water ratio, belts, and hoses, spark plugs, wires, and cables. Any of these items can go bad any time of year, but if they go bad during the winter, you could be stranded in a very cold place.
- Fill up the tank – A full fuel tank helps prevent gas-line freeze-ups.
- Keep rear-window defroster in working order – Being unable to see behind you could create unsafe driving conditions.
Need to know more about why is vehicle maintenance important? Contact our ASE-certified technicians today at Express Auto Service & Repair for more information about truck and vehicle maintenance and to schedule an appointment. Our auto shop serves vehicle owners in Mankato, MN, and the neighboring communities of North Mankato, MN, New Ulm, MN, and St. Peter, MN.
