Seven Mechanic Recommended Techniques For Preparing Your Car For The Cold Of Winter
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When the cold weather storms in every year, most think about winterizing their homes , their boats, and other pricey toys, but for some reason, vehicles don’t come to mind. However, to continue to get the greatest performance from your vehicle and avoid little things going wrong that could grow into major system failures, winterizing your vehicle is absolutely improtant, even in areas like North Texas, where the weather doesn’t stay as cold as it can up north. This maintenance can be quite basic, if you schedule an appointment with your local Denton automotive repair shop. Here are a few things to consider .
Windshield wiper replacement – While not often a worry in the dry North Texas summers, windshield wipers are essential to safe driving in the winter because of the rain, snow, and ice storms that tend to hit the area .
Tire pressurization – Important to traction as well as fuel economy , tire pressure changes with temperature, usually getting lower in the cold weather . Your tire pressure ought to be increased, checked regularly and maintained.
Take a Look at belts and hoses – If you are at your 30,000-mile scheduled maintenance mark, your local mechanic will do this for you anyway, inspecting them for wear and tear. At the same time, an extra look before the cold weather weakens the rubber too drastically is always a good safety precaution.
Check your battery – The cold weather makes it harder for the car to start anyway, and if there is corrosion on your battery’s posts or connections, or if the water is low, you are begging to be stranded . Make sure your battery is clean and in good working order before you have to count on a sympathetic passer-by to jump-start your vehicle .
Oil change – While this should be part of your regularly scheduled vehicle maintenance, in colder weather , you want to pay special attention to the weight of the oil you are using . Oil thickens in the cold weather , so you’ll want to use a lighter weight oil to assure your engine is properly lubricated . Talk to a Denton auto technician or consult your owner’s manual for recommendations.
Mix your antifreeze – Make sure you have a 50/50 mix of antifreeze and water in the radiator to prevent freezing of the coolant in your vehicle that leads to radiator problems or an overheated car .
Prepare for the worst – In case you are stuck in the chill of a winter storm , have an emergency kit in your vehicle containing a blanket, boots and gloves, an ice scraper, food and water, a flashlight, flares, jumper cables, a first aid kit, paper towels, and an ice scraper. If you go by these tips and have a qualified Denton automotive expert assist you with the mechanical issues, you’ll be set for winter . You put a lot of trust in your vehicle to get you from Point A to Point B on demand – do what you can to assure that faith is well placed!
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