The Winter Checklist You Need To Follow

As temperatures begin to dip, car maintenance issues tend to rear their heads. The things that were easy to put off during the summer months now become crucial to take care of. Cold weather and winter conditions make driving more challenging and dangerous, and some of the easiest and inexpensive maintenance steps can make a huge difference.

We tend to write on these topics every year about this time, but only because of how important they are. The more prepared you are for the winter months, the safer and more reliable your car will be.

Tires

Tires connect your car to the road, and the better the grip, the more in control you have. Ice, slippery leaves and snow are constant hazards during the fall and winter months and worn tires can’t handle the demand of normal driving conditions. While drivers may be able to get away with slightly worn tires during the summer, they usually get a rude awakening the moment there is ice or snow.

Tire pressure should also be increased. Colder air diminishes the pressure in your tires and impacts both wear and performance. Ensure your tires are properly inflated.

Visibility

The sun sets earlier in the fall and winter months, which means that drivers are suddenly driving in the dark more. Drivers may hardly use their headlights during the summer. Now, they are a daily necessity. Headlights can burn out or become dull. Beyond headlights, you have high beams, marker lights, blinkers and tail lights. They should all be checked for optimal performance.

Furthermore, fall and winter driving means wet conditions, including water spray, salt and leaves. Old, ineffective wiper blades can often make visibility worse. Ensure you have good wiper blades installed on your car and have the wiper fluid topped off.

Battery

Older or corroded car batteries have a harder time maintaining and rebuilding their charge. A battery that got by during the warmer months may suddenly stop working now that it’s colder. Have your battery tested to determine if it will serve you reliably during the fall and winter months.

Car issues never spring up when it’s convenient. They turn up when you need to pick your child up from school, get to work or in the parking lot with a trunk full of groceries. The steps listed above are relatively simple, routine, and lower on the cost spectrum. It’s well worth having your car checked over by a mechanic to ensure that your car is prepared for the colder months to avoid an inconvenient breakdown or an expensive and potentially tragic accident.

Bring your car to BBack Car Care and love your car again. We fully review your car and provide you with a complimentary assessment of your vehicle to let you know if any maintenance needs should be performed. If you want something specifically looked at, let our service desk know and we’ll ensure it’s added to the checklist.

Ready to schedule an appointment? Request one online or give our service desk a call today.