Winterizing Your Car

It’s that time of year again!  This is the time of the year that you need to take a little extra time winterizing your car.  Living here in Colorado, we have to be ready in a moments notice for our winter storms.  Use this list of winterizing ideas to keep your car ahead of the storm!

• Change the oil in your car.  If it’s time for your 30,000 full service, than go ahead and do it now, make sure that the oil in your car has the proper viscosity, or thickness, for the winter weather.  Some cars need a thinner oil in the cold weather.  Oil thickens in the cold and if it gets too thick it won’t flow through the engine like it should.  A lot of the newer cars use the same grade of oil all year long but older model cars need a different grade for summer or winter.  So check your owner’s manual to be sure.
• Check the Battery.  Your battery’s capacity is reduced by cold weather, so check your battery cables for cracks and breaks.  Make sure the terminals fit snugly and aren’t loose.  Check the battery fluid to make sure it’s full.  If you don’t know how to check the level of your battery fluid, have it checked by a professional.  It’s also a good idea to make sure that your battery has the ability to hold a charge.  This is also a service done by your repair shop.
• Replace your antifreeze.  Your car’s coolant system not only keeps your engine from overheating but it also protects it from corrosion.  Every vehicle has a certain water to coolant ratio, check your owner’s manual to be sure, but a winter ratio of 60% coolant to 40% water works for most vehicles.
• Examine your belts and hoses.  Cold weather can damage belts and hoses, so make sure they are checked for wear and tear.
• Replace wiper blades and washer fluid.  Windshield wiper blades usually last about a year so replacing them each year at this time is a good idea.  Then it’s easier to keep track of when they were last replaced.  Fill your windshield washer reservoir will washer fluid.  You might also consider mixing in a de-icer with the washer fluid.  Never put plain water in the reservoir, it freezes and will crack the reservoir.
• Check your defrosting and heating units.  When our windshield fogs up in the winter, it makes it very difficult to see.  Defroster units should be checked to make sure they are functioning properly so our vision is never impaired while we’re driving.
• Check tire pressure and condition.   Tires need to be properly inflated as well as have good tire tread depth.  This is also a good time to consider buying a set of snow tires.  They do a better job in winter driving conditions than all-weather tires.
• Keep your fuel tank full.  Although it’s never a good idea to let your gas tank run on fumes, the possible damage this causes is greatly increased during the winter.  Cold and shifting temperatures can cause condensation to form on the walls of an empty gas tank, if this condensation (water) finds its way into the fuel lines and freezes, you will end up with a very costly repair.  Keeping your tank full will benefit your car and your wallet

For all of your Denver Auto Repair needs, trust Express Car Care. Call (303) 691-2760 or stop by our shop today.

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