Automotive Service Tips for Winter Driving!
Winter has arrived in many parts of the country! Because the right automotive service is so important this time of year, ask your automotive repair technician to perform a thorough inspection of all the systems of your vehicle. If anything needs to be fixed, have it done as soon as possible. The last thing anyone wants this time of year is to be stranded out in the cold with a broken-down car! You will be able to drive your car with confidence out on the wet and icy roads.
Don’t forget these automotive service tips for safe winter driving:
- Car Battery--Cold temperatures reduce a battery’s cranking power. A battery generally has only about half of the cranking power at 0° F than it has at 80° F.
- Wiper Blades--If your wiper blades are more than six months old and you are noticing streaks or missed expanses of glass, you should replace them. Use an ice scraper (not your wiper blades) to remove ice from the windshield. If you don’t have covered parking, raise the wipers at night to keep them from freezing to the windshield.
- Windshield--Keep the windshield-washer reservoir filled with washer solution that contains an antifreeze agent. Also, make sure the heater is functioning properly so that plenty of warm air is being directed to the windshield in the defrost mode.
- Lights--Check that all lights are working properly and that lens is clean so that you can see and be seen.
- Oil--Because oil thickens when cold, use a motor oil that has a "W" in the viscosity index (check your owner’s manual for the right kind of oil), signifying that it's formulated for winter use to ensure good oil flow at low temperatures.
- Radiator, Hoses, and Belts--Check the radiator and heater hoses for cracks, leaks, or contamination from oil or grease. Your mechanic can check the coolant mixture in the radiator to make sure it has the correct ratio of antifreeze to water.
- Tires--Check your tire tread and tire pressure. Inflation pressure goes down as the temperature goes down. If your area only gets occasional snow, all-season tires rated to perform well in snow and ice tests should be fine. Or, if you do a lot of driving in snowy conditions, consider purchasing snow tires. These are designed with special tread patterns and made from rubber compounds that grip snow and ice for optimum traction.
- Brakes--If you feel any vibration, hear squealing, or the brake pedal feels “soft,” have your brakes inspected and repaired so you can come to a stop quickly.
- Emergency kit--Keep a supply of water, snacks, jumper cables, a flashlight (with extra batteries), road flares, first aid kit, blanket, and cell phone and charger.
Looking for quality automotive repair? Contact our ASE Certified Technicians at Clausen Automotive, The Hybrid Shop, for more information about our automotive service and to schedule an appointment. Since 1975, our family-owned auto shop has proudly served vehicle owners in Madison, WI, and the surrounding communities.
Winter has arrived in many parts of the country! Because the right automotive service is so important this time of year, ask your automotive repair technician to perform a thorough inspection of all the systems of your vehicle. If anything needs to be fixed, have it done as soon as possible. The last thing anyone wants this time of year is to be stranded out in the cold with a broken-down car! You will be able to drive your car with confidence out on the wet and icy roads.
Don’t forget these automotive service tips for safe winter driving:
- Car Battery--Cold temperatures reduce a battery’s cranking power. A battery generally has only about half of the cranking power at 0° F than it has at 80° F.
- Wiper Blades--If your wiper blades are more than six months old and you are noticing streaks or missed expanses of glass, you should replace them. Use an ice scraper (not your wiper blades) to remove ice from the windshield. If you don’t have covered parking, raise the wipers at night to keep them from freezing to the windshield.
- Windshield--Keep the windshield-washer reservoir filled with washer solution that contains an antifreeze agent. Also, make sure the heater is functioning properly so that plenty of warm air is being directed to the windshield in the defrost mode.
- Lights--Check that all lights are working properly and that lens is clean so that you can see and be seen.
- Oil--Because oil thickens when cold, use a motor oil that has a "W" in the viscosity index (check your owner’s manual for the right kind of oil), signifying that it's formulated for winter use to ensure good oil flow at low temperatures.
- Radiator, Hoses, and Belts--Check the radiator and heater hoses for cracks, leaks, or contamination from oil or grease. Your mechanic can check the coolant mixture in the radiator to make sure it has the correct ratio of antifreeze to water.
- Tires--Check your tire tread and tire pressure. Inflation pressure goes down as the temperature goes down. If your area only gets occasional snow, all-season tires rated to perform well in snow and ice tests should be fine. Or, if you do a lot of driving in snowy conditions, consider purchasing snow tires. These are designed with special tread patterns and made from rubber compounds that grip snow and ice for optimum traction.
- Brakes--If you feel any vibration, hear squealing, or the brake pedal feels “soft,” have your brakes inspected and repaired so you can come to a stop quickly.
- Emergency kit--Keep a supply of water, snacks, jumper cables, a flashlight (with extra batteries), road flares, first aid kit, blanket, and cell phone and charger.
Looking for quality automotive repair? Contact our ASE Certified Technicians at Clausen Automotive, The Hybrid Shop, for more information about our automotive service and to schedule an appointment. Since 1975, our family-owned auto shop has proudly served vehicle owners in Madison, WI, and the surrounding communities.
