The winter season is approaching and one of the most important things you should not take for granted is maintaining the condition of your car. Keep in mind that the cold months can affect your motor vehicle’s running condition and as such, you need to prepare early.
When it comes to your car, early preparation is always key to keeping things in control and avoiding repair costs that can only cause stress. If you have unpleasant experiences in the past, all the more that you should take action before winter starts. Past surveys on car care have found that some 70 percent of motorists do not prepare their vehicles for the cold winter weather.
Priority should be given to your car engine. This is, after all, what makes the vehicle run hence, you need to focus on this part.
If your vehicle has not visited the shop for quite some time, it would be a good idea to bring it there before winter sets in. A tune-up is the best gift you can give your car because it will not only determine the engine’s condition but it will also detect problems early on. This step will also save you money moving forward.
The tires are the next components to take into consideration. As these are exposed to snow and slippery roads, you need to make sure they have the right tire pressure and are in good condition. They should also get rotate and properly balanced. For those living in areas with extremely low temperatures, investing in snow tires is strongly recommended.
Another thing you have to make sure is that the fluid levels of your car are at proper levels. These should include the transmission, brake, power steering and windshield washer fluids and coolants. For the windshield, a de-icer type of washer fluid is ideal to use.
Finally, do have a winter kit ready in your vehicle for emergency situations. This normally contains sand or cat litter to be used as tire traction on snow or ice as well as de-icing liquid and ice scraper.
Photo via modacrat.com
About the guest author:
Brent is a blogger who writes for car-related sites and a big fan of vintage cars. He follows a tradition of winterizing his vehicle when October 1st arrives as part of his yearly car care regimen.
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