Prepare Your Car for Winter | Mechanic Car Shops Lewisville, TX

With this winter hinting at being a repeat of last winter’s extreme cold and a polar vortex already on top of much of the U.S., it serves as a reminder to prepare your car for winter by scheduling service at Fifth Gear’s Mechanic Car Shops in Lewisville, TX.

Extreme cold can cause damage to your vehicle, and leave you stranded. The following tips will help to ensure your car will perform reliably during the worst of winter.

Check the Battery

Cold weather is hard on the battery. In fact, the battery loses 33 % of its power when temperatures fall below freezing and over 50 % when temperatures dip below zero. In cold weather the battery can take up to twice the power it normally does in warmer weather, add that to the loss of power due to cold and it is easy to see why cars so often won’t crank in cold weather. Our certified mechanics can provide the battery, electrical and charging system inspection, maintenance and repair that your car requires in our mechanic car shops in Lewisville, TX

Follow these tips to ensure your automobile will crank when you need it:

  • Schedule pre-winter maintenance in Fifth Gear’s mechanic car shops in Lewisville, TX to have the battery and electrical system checked by a professional mechanic.
  • As stated, cold weather is extremely hard on the battery. Have your automobile’s starting and charging system tested every 6 months.
  • Inspect battery posts, cables and terminals for corrosion and wear. Clean routinely to ensure adequate contact and charging. Fifth Gear Automotive will be glad to provide this service for you. Schedule service today in our mechanic car shops in Lewisville, TX.
  • Use a battery charger to maintain charge levels and keep the battery in good condition. A fully discharged battery will start to freeze at 32 degrees F.
  • If the battery is five years old or older, replace it.

Check the Tire Pressure

For every 10-degree drop in the outside temperature, tires lose about a pound of air pressure. Check tire pressure often during the winter and add air as needed. Don’t assume to know the required air pressure. The amount can vary between tires. You can find the required amount of air pressure stamped on the tires. Check air pressure often during cold weather.

Under-inflated tires wear unevenly, cause premature wear, adversely affect fuel economy and can be a safety hazard, especially when the roads are slick. Underinflated tires impair your automobile’s braking and handling.

Inspect the tires themselves for signs of wear such as worn tread or fine cracking indicating dry rot. A tire with dry rot should be replaced to prevent a blowout. We can rotate, balance and provide new tires for your vehicle in our mechanic car shops in Lewisville, TX.

Check the Fluids

Cold temperatures can cause fluids to thicken. Ensure your car’s fluids are up to standards. Clean oil and a new oil filter, fresh antifreeze (change every 2 years), power steering fluid, brake fluid and transmission fluid should be at the proper levels and changed as recommended by the manufacturer. Let your vehicle warm up for at least 10 minutes before driving to ensure fluids will flow adequately. Remember to keep windshield wiper fluid topped off as use typically increases during the winter. If your car is due an oil change, transmission fluid change or other, schedule service in our mechanic car shops in Lewisville, TX.

Protect Your Windshield Wipers

Extreme cold can cause the windshield wipers to freeze and crack.
You should replace your wipers in the fall, while the weather is still warm. Replace them annually. Use a winter washer mix and refill often.

Replace Worn Brakes

Brakes are the automobiles most important safety feature. Properly operating brakes are important anytime, and putting off brake maintenance or repairs should especially not be considered in winter when the roads can be slick and/or icy. Worn brakes can take longer to stop than brakes in good repair. The brakes on the majority of modern cars will squeak when it is time to have them inspected and replaced. It is a safety feature that should not be ignored. If your car is due for brake maintenance, call today to schedule service in our mechanic car shops in Lewisville, TX.

Change Antifreeze & Inspect the Cooling System

Antifreeze should be replaced every two years. After this time this coolant becomes corrosive and can cause damage to the radiator. Hoses and clamps should be inspected for signs of wear such as cracks, leaks and being “soft”. Schedule service today for fresh antifreeze and an inspection of the cooling system in our mechanic car shops in Lewisville, TX.

Last winter thousands of Americans were stranded on snowy roads unprepared for cold weather and sheltering in place while awaiting rescue. This wasn’t the far north, but rather the far south where such conditions are rare.

The lesson learned after days of being stranded on the road were to carry warm clothing such as gloves, heavy coats, boots, blankets, tire chains, battery booster pack, cell phone and a charger, flares, flashlight, high-energy, non-perishable snacks, necessary medication, bath tissue, water, ample baby formula and food, baby wipes and diapers if applicable. It is also a good idea to keep your tank topped off when snow is a possibility – even if it is forecast for regions north or south of you.

Fifth Gear Automotive’s certified and experienced technicians hope you found these tips helpful in ensuring a safe driving experience this winter. If you haven’t had a chance to prepare your car for winter, give us a call to schedule service in our mechanic car shops in Lewisville, TX. We will be glad to inspect your car and provide the necessary service. Thanks for visiting Fifth Gear Automotive.