Winter Car Service
Extreme cold can cause your vehicle to be inoperable, or even cause damage to your vehicle, and leave you stranded. The following winter car service tips and checklist will help to ensure your car will perform reliably during the worst of winter. A well-maintained vehicle is the best means to assure your safety and that of your passengers.
Providing winter car service includes the inspection of the following by an ASE certified mechanic:
- Test antifreeze annually to ensure it will protect your vehicle and requires routine changing.
- Radiator
- Heater
- Defroster
- Brakes
- Brake fluid
- Ignition
- Exhaust
- Tire inspection and check the air pressure. Tires lose about a pound of air pressure for every 10-degree drop in the outside temperature. Check tire pressure weekly during the winter. The required amount of air pressure is stamped on the tires. Fifth Gear’s certified technicians can inspect your tires and replace them if necessary.
- Replace the battery if it is nearing the end of its warranty period. Inspect battery posts, cables and terminals for battery corrosion and wear, and clean when corrosion begins to accumulate to ensure adequate contact and charging.
- Emergency flashers
- Replace windshield wipers each fall
In addition, you should observe and check the following ideally each week:
- Keep your car fueled to avoid condensation freezing in the fuel tank and fuel lines, and to provide as much fuel as possible in the event you are stranded on the road.
- Use a wintertime mixture of windshield wiper fluid (wintertime mixture).
- Check the oil, power steering fluid, brake fluid, radiator coolant, and transmission fluid. Cold temperatures can cause fluids to thicken. Schedule an oil change before winter arrives and ensure fresh antifreeze by changing every 2 years. Allow your vehicle to warm up for at least 10 minutes before driving to ensure fluids will flow properly. Remember to keep windshield wiper fluid topped off during the winter.
Automotive Emergency Checklist:
When snow, ice or a wintry mix is in the forecast, it is best to minimize travel to emergencies only. However, if travel is necessary, ensure you have the following in your vehicle:
- Cell phone and portable charger for your car
- Shovel (folding versions are available that will fit in the trunk)
- Windshield scraper
- Flashlight with extra batteries
- Water
- Non-perishable snack food, avoid salty and dry foods as they will increase thirst, instant soups, hot chocolate, or instant coffee packs if you have a means of heating water. Waterproof matches and a container to melt snow for water, a bottle warmer is handy if you have adequate fuel and a functional battery.
- Extra hats, warm coats, gloves, thermal underwear, or a good brand of sweats, warm socks, and a good pair of shoes that accommodate extra socks for walking on ice or snow. Layering can keep you warmer in the car and out.
- Blankets, or foil emergency blankets which are compact and easy to store in the glove box, have at least one for each person.
- Tire chains
- Booster cables
- A brightly colored scarf or cloth to tie to the antennae
- Handwarmers such as hunters use
- First aid kit
- Paper towels, toilet paper, baby wipes, and trash bags
- If travel in wintry weather is unavoidable with infants, have ample diapers, baby food, and formula.
- Carry necessary medications in a purse or backpack.
Safety Precautions:
- Staying in your car can be deadly without ensuring a running car can exhaust. Motorists caught in the snow should check their vehicle’s tailpipe for blockage by ice, or a mound of snow. If it is, deadly carbon monoxide can get into the vehicle.
- When operating the vehicle’s heater, do so about 15 minutes every hour to conserve fuel in the car. While the heater is running, crack a window that is out of the wind slightly to ensure ventilation due to carbon monoxide entering the automobile.
Fifth Gear Automotive Can Help
While these precautions may seem excessive, anyone who has been caught on the road for days will assure you it is not. If you haven’t had a chance to take your automobile in for winter car service. Give us a call to schedule your winter car service or click on the link below to schedule your appointment:
Fifth Gear Automotive
We are a family owned independent automotive repair shop; Fifth Gear Automotive has over 100 years of experience with all domestic and import makes and models, specializing in European auto repair since 2004, serving Lewisville, Highland Village, Flower Mound, Lantana, Double Oak, and the surrounding communities.
