Winter weather definitely means that it’s time to make sure that your battery and your tires are in great shape and ready to handle whatever the season throws your way, but there’s more to it than that. Here are some of the other important factors in winter preparation for your car. Even better? Advanced Automotive can help you with all of them so you don’t need to worry about your car this winter.
Check the Fluids
Fluids are literally the lifeblood of your car. Everything from the oil to antifreeze and transmission fluid lubricates moving parts and keep your car running well. Fluids keep your engine clean and cool, so it’s important that they’re fresh and clean. At the very least, make sure they’re topped up if it isn’t time to change them yet. Each fluid has its own changing schedule, so check your owner’s manual.
Filters Need Checking, Too
The oil filter gets changed every time you get an oil change, but there are other filters that can go a lot longer. Air and fuel filters are necessary and do plenty of the hard work of helping your engine run right. Make sure that they’re clean by changing the air filter every 12,000 miles and the fuel filter every 30,000 miles. Don’t forget about your cabin air filter, either, if your car, truck, or SUV has one.
Belts and Hoses Get Brittle Easily
Belts and hoses are made of rubber, which makes them ideal for your car’s harsh engine compartment. Things get hot in there! When winter comes around, things get even more complicated. Hot hoses and belts cool down rapidly because of cold temperatures outside. As they sit and freeze up, the rubber gets brittle and when you start your car again, they can break if they old and already worn.
Make Sure Your Wiper Blades Are in Good Shape
Visibility is key in winter, especially when you’re dealing with rain, sleet, or snow. That makes your windshield wiper blades, as well as your wiper fluid, incredibly important. Wiper blades are made of rubber and, just like your hoses and belts, that they can become brittle very easily. Wiper blades that don’t work well are almost worse than not having any at all installed on your car.
You don’t have to go it alone, though. Contact us at Advanced Automotive in Stanwood, WA, and we can make sure you’re ready for whatever winter has to offer. We’ll let you know what needs repair and what’s ready to go.
