10 Ways to be Winter-Wise When it Comes to Your Car
Ah, winter, our old familiar friend.
The slippery season that heightens risks on the road and tends to freeze up many key features of your vehicle.
We’re happy to tell you, it IS possible to prep your car for the winter in a way that will have you safely dashing through the snow and keeping your spirits bright.
Review this helpful checklist now and be in the know well before Mother Nature doles out her worst!
1. Emergency Kits
An emergency kit is an absolute must when it comes to combating the cold weather. You never know when an accident or poor conditions could leave you stuck on the road and you’ll want to make sure you have the following at hand:
- Spare tire
- Tools to change your tire
- Back-up bottles of engine oil, washer fluid and coolant (just in case!)
- Ice scraper
- Flashlights/flares
- Extra outdoor clothing
- Blanket
- Jumper cables
- Reflective signage
2. 4WD
If you have it, make sure it’s ready to use. It’s rare to activate your 4-wheel drive in the summer and you don’t want to wait until a slippery winter day to find out it’s on the fritz. Consult your owner’s manual to see what conditions your vehicle’s 4WD can operate in effectively, or pop into a Jiffy Lube for a quick onceover and some educational advice specific to your car!
3. Belts & Hoses
The belts and hoses in your vehicle play a large role in keeping your engine active. Usually, these areas are checked during a regular tune-up, but if you’re not scheduled to have one any time soon it’s worth swinging by a to get this part of your vehicle quickly looked at.
Cold temps can be highly destructive to your belts and hoses, and ultimately, your engine and it’s best to detect any cracks or fissures before any big chills.
4. Windshield Wipers
Low visibility is a leading cause of accidents during the winter season. Due to windshield wipers being made of rubber, it’s inevitable that they’ll deteriorate over the course of a year and could begin giving you trouble right when the snow starts to gather on your glass. If you haven’t replaced your wipers since last winter, it’s time to get them checked out!
Make sure that your wiper fluid is topped up and that you have back-up stored in your vehicle as well, to help break down sticky snow and ice in stormy conditions.
5. Defrosting & Heating System
Your defroster usually defeats window fog and your heater naturally keeps you warm and alert. Facing winter weather without either of these systems working in prime form would be a bit of a disaster.
Get these two systems checked now to ensure you don’t have faulty coils or air leaks that could leave you with some serious winter blues.
6. Fuel Tank
Keeping your tank close to empty is actually more harmful than you might think. Not only do you risk stressing and damaging your gas lines, but you risk being stranded during extreme winter weather. This is simply an ongoing reminder top up your tank as often as possible when venturing anywhere in your vehicle!
7. Antifreeze
Antifreeze is what guards your engine from freezing up and what keeps corrosion at bay during the winter months. Your radiator requires equal parts water and antifreeze, but luckily that’s now available in pre-mixed bottles. Make sure you’re topped up going into this season and buy an extra bottle for back-up!
8. Oil
It’s pretty imperative to get your oil changed before we’re in full swing of the winter season. The cold can thicken your oil, which in turn can create some extreme engine problems. Check your oil as per your owner’s manual or have it checked by us before temps drop too low and start to cause issues.
See what you get with a Jiffy Lube Signature Service Oil Change here.
9. Battery
How old is your car battery? If it’s anywhere between 3-5 years, you may be due for a new one. The great news is that fall is often the season that sees battery sales!
Still have a young battery? Have it looked at to ensure it’s strong and free of corrosion as the cold weather puts natural strain on your car’s main power centre.
10. Tire Pressure
Deflated tires mean seriously less traction and during a snowstorm this is the last issue you want to be face with. Inflating your tires is a simple task that can be done at your local gas station. If you’re nervous about the condition of your wheels, or need some pointers on checking pressure, roll on in and we’ll give you a hand!
Our best advice of all? Don’t wait for the white stuff to start falling!
When it comes to being safe and saving money, preventative maintenance is the best method. Drive in to a Jiffy Lube near you today and start taking advantage of our winter-ready offers.
See you later, summer!