Frigid temperatures and frozen precipitation may conspire against your car, but if you are sufficiently prepared, then you should avoid most car problems with ease. Before the worst of the cold weather settles in, consider how best to winterize your car.
Winterize Your Car
1. Inspect the battery. Your car’s battery is the central nerve system for your vehicle. If it fails to crank, you’re not going anywhere. Before winter settles in, inspect the battery to ensure that all connection points are clean and free of debris. However, go one step further to ensure that the battery has enough life left in it. Specifically, with a voltmeter attached the battery, it must read 12.4 volts or higher, otherwise the battery must be recharged or it may be …show more content…
Investigate the brakes. Tires provide traction, but it is your brake system that helps bring your vehicle to a stop. Inspect the front and rear brake pads for wear. Then, measure the rotors and drums for wear. Install new brake pads or shoes as needed and resurface or replace the brake rotors or drums. Brake bleeding and fluid change may also be necessary. Lastly, replace any brake lines, hoses or other components that are worn out.
4. Change the oil, replace the oil filter. When was the last time you changed your car’s oil? Getting this done before winter settles in ensures that the oil is fresh. Besides, who wants to change their oil in biting winds or as the snow piles high? Change the oil and your oil filter should be replaced too. While you’re at it, replace the air filter and if it is time to replace the spark plugs, then do so.
5. Examine the coolant system. Coolant, also known as antifreeze, regulates the temperature of your engine by raising the boiling point in summer, while lowering the freezing point in winter. If the fluid has lost its color or if you spot rusty particles floating in the fluid, then flush the system and replace with new coolant. Check the hoses as well — if they feel squishy to the touch or if you notice bulges, then replace
Winterize Your Car
1. Inspect the battery. Your car’s battery is the central nerve system for your vehicle. If it fails to crank, you’re not going anywhere. Before winter settles in, inspect the battery to ensure that all connection points are clean and free of debris. However, go one step further to ensure that the battery has enough life left in it. Specifically, with a voltmeter attached the battery, it must read 12.4 volts or higher, otherwise the battery must be recharged or it may be …show more content…
Investigate the brakes. Tires provide traction, but it is your brake system that helps bring your vehicle to a stop. Inspect the front and rear brake pads for wear. Then, measure the rotors and drums for wear. Install new brake pads or shoes as needed and resurface or replace the brake rotors or drums. Brake bleeding and fluid change may also be necessary. Lastly, replace any brake lines, hoses or other components that are worn out.
4. Change the oil, replace the oil filter. When was the last time you changed your car’s oil? Getting this done before winter settles in ensures that the oil is fresh. Besides, who wants to change their oil in biting winds or as the snow piles high? Change the oil and your oil filter should be replaced too. While you’re at it, replace the air filter and if it is time to replace the spark plugs, then do so.
5. Examine the coolant system. Coolant, also known as antifreeze, regulates the temperature of your engine by raising the boiling point in summer, while lowering the freezing point in winter. If the fluid has lost its color or if you spot rusty particles floating in the fluid, then flush the system and replace with new coolant. Check the hoses as well — if they feel squishy to the touch or if you notice bulges, then replace