Winter weather, unlike summer, places a different kind of burden to car systems. Your air conditioning needs to get warm enough instead of getting cold, for example. You’re also dealing with unpredictable conditions of roads that can make driving dangerous. In this article we’ll go through a checklist of things you need to look for and possibly improve to make sure this Winter doesn’t leave you on the side of the road waiting for help.
If you’re the kind who would rather just have someone do it all for you, then you’re in the right place. At Davis Paint & Collision Auto Center we do all kinds of automotive repairs and maintenance so give us a call or visit one of our locations. Now, back to the checklist.
Tire Tread
This Winter, you’ll need tires in good tread and generally good quality all around. It may seem obvious to many that you need a good set of tires but many people don’t know how to check a tire tread. In simple terms, if you can see the ridges (the valleys if you will) of your tire treads, then it is time to change them. The other thing to look for is wear on one side of the tire, either more on the inside or the outside. These conditions are clues that your wheels are out of alignment and need to be fixed. Lastly, when it come to tires, make sure you have enough air in them for Winter according to the manufacturer.A must have
Car Battery
Another must-do car tune-up for Winter is checking that your battery is still good. The one major issue we see often is batteries that are no longer working at their best. These old batteries can lead to such issues as trouble starting your car in the morning, maintaining charge and in some cases electrical problems. May auto shops can run a quick check for you to determine the life of the battery left. Make sure you take care of this.
Carbon Monoxide Leaks
Because you have windows rolled up during Winter, having carbon monoxide leaks in your exhaust can pose real dangers not only to your car but your health as well. This one is tricky to detect without proper training and tools. A reputable auto repair shop should be able to check your muffler and tail pipes for leaks and other issues.
Car Fluids
A must-have car tune-up is replacing automotive fluids such as engine oil, brake fluids and coolant. When auto fluids get used up for a long time, they lose the properties that make them useful in the first place. Engine oil, for example, becomes harder to flow. Combine that with the fact that temperatures are very low, it makes for a double whammy. Auto fluids should be replaced more frequently during Winter to make sure that the internal parts of the car are well lubricated and ready to serve.
Be Ready
Lastly, you should be prepared to Winter’s issues by making sure that your car is equipped with emergency supplies should you find yourself stranded on the side of the road. We have written an article on the emergency items to keep in your car so do check that one out.
Conclusion
Here at Davis Paint & Collision Auto Center we’d like to let you know that if you ever need an auto repair specialist, you can trust your vehicle to us. We are not only certified to fix a variety of makes and models but also we have been doing it for over 3 decades. Reach out to any of our 3 locations. For the Oklahoma City location, call 405.733.9797, South Oklahoma City location: 405.691.1820, and Midwest City location: 405.732.0762. We’re open. Call today.
