Winter is far from over, so if you’re worried about how your Chevy vehicle is going to hold up as the weather continues to be unpredictable and filled with snow and cold temperatures, we’ve got you covered. We’ve put together a brief winter car survival guide, filled with seven must-do maintenance tips for you to follow in Tulsa’s coldest months. It’s best to take care of these just before winter, but as long as you take care of them it’s never too late.
Test the Battery
When the temperature drops particularly low, it begins to have an effect on electrical implements. That means your battery is at risk of being drained more than usual. You’ll want to test your battery before it gets too cold, because you don’t want to find that it has died at inopportune times – such as while you’re far from home. There are ways to test your battery at home, but it’d be best to bring it to a professional to have it tested. If necessary, now would be a good time to replace your battery if it’s too low.
Check Tire Pressure & Tread
Another thing that can be negatively affected by cold weather is the pressure inside your tires. The colder it gets, the less pressurized the air inside your tires gets. So, it’s more important than ever to check your pressure regularly and make sure each of your tires is in the proper range. While you’re at it, be sure to check your tire tread as well, as the dangerous conditions of winter driving is the worst time to discover your tires are bald.
Inspect Antifreeze Levels
You certainly don’t want your engine to freeze, so now is also a great time to inspect the levels of your antifreeze and top them off if necessary. Antifreeze, or coolant as it’s also often called, protects your engine from corrosion, regulates its temperature, lubricates the water pump and, of course, prevents freezing. So, it’s important to always make sure your levels are topped off, but especially during the winter.
Check Wiper Blades
If you’ve noticed that your wiper blades aren’t working as well as they normally do, now is the best possible time to get them checked and replaced. You don’t want to be on the highway when it starts snowing and realize that your wipers aren’t up to snuff. While you’re at it, make sure your washer fluid is full – and consider using de-icing washer fluid instead for extra help. You can also consider applying a repellent to your windshield to better prevent snow and ice from building up on your windshield.
Clean Your Headlights
It’s dark far more often throughout the winter months, so your headlights will be getting much more use than normal. Check them out to make sure they’re as clean as they can be, and replace any bulbs that aren’t working as well as they should.
Check Your Brakes
When snow and ice are present on the ground it becomes more difficult to control your vehicle, especially when coming to a stop. So, if you haven’t had your brakes checked in a while, now is the perfect time. Bring your vehicle in right here to the Jim Glover Chevrolet service department and we’ll make sure they’re up to snuff.
Prepare Emergency Kit
Finally, if you don’t already have an emergency kit in your vehicle, now is as good a time as any to put one together. An emergency kit is good year round, but even more so during the cold winter months. If your vehicle dies and you get stranded, the non-perishable snacks, water, warm clothes and jumper cables will really come in handy. There are all kinds of guides around the internet on what to include in your kit, find what works best for you and store it in your trunk or cargo area.
If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us. We’d be happy to take care of any of the automotive services we’ve suggested here today to make sure your vehicle is in great working condition this winter.