Missed the fall car tune-up you’ve been planning to do? Don’t worry; there’s still time. And this time, you’ll really have to do it. Winter is coming to try and wreck your vehicle either way, so you will need to have it serviced or, better yet, tune it up yourself. A car dealer in Albuquerque, NM has some helpful tips on preparing yourself and your vehicle for the harsh winter.
Get new winter tires
Roads will be icy and slippery almost every day for the next three months. You can do a few things to avoid sliding into a ditch or onto another vehicle, including accelerating slowly and avoiding slamming on the brakes–but these can only do so much. You can increase your chances of not sliding off the road by getting winter tires. These tires have more tread, belts, and ply for added grip and traction on the road. Your old tires are probably worn out anyway, so it makes sense to have new ones.
Charge and clean the battery
Your car’s battery contains chemicals that work optimally at room temperature and endure heat better than cold. During winter, the chemical reaction in the battery, which produces power, slows down when temperatures drop to 10 degrees Fahrenheit or lower. This means your battery needs to work twice as hard to meet the necessary charge for your vehicle’s engine and other components to function properly. In addition, if it’s near empty and its surface is covered in dust and grease, chances are its performance will further diminish. So make sure to include battery maintenance on your winter car tune-up checklist.
Get new blades and top up on windshield washer fluid
You’ll be dealing with snow and sometimes hail, not just rainwater, on your windshield throughout winter. That takes more effort to get off your windshield. What you need is a set of winter windshield wiper blades. These are larger and more heavy-duty than standard wiper blades. They are perfect for both snow and frost on the windshield. Also, remember to get new windshield washer fluid. Scraping off snow and ice isn’t enough. The blades need lubricating now and then.
Make sure the heater is working
Ever wondered where your vehicle’s cabin gets heat? The engine produces intense heat as it burns fuel to generate mechanical energy. Most heat is released through the exhaust pipe, while the rest is transferred into the cabin. This is the heat carried by the coolant and released into the heater core. Two things you need to do to get the heating going, according to a trusted dealership in Albuquerque, NM, is to replenish the coolant and to ensure nothing is obstructing the vent and duct where the heat passes through.
Safety reminders before hitting the road
You probably learned this when you were getting your license but let me leave it here as a reminder: Drive slowly. If you are in a situation where you want to go faster, don’t do it. You can test roads to know your speed limits but only accelerate as fast as your tires can bear safely. Also, check the tire pressure before hitting the road. Tires usually deflate as temperatures drop. Keep your tire pressure at 32 to 35 psi. Lastly, keep a safe distance from vehicles in front of you. Factor in the length you think your car will slide across before stopping completely.
Ideally, you should do this so you can learn to deal with winter-related breakdowns without a professional mechanic. But if you need additional training or you don’t have time to spare to perform car maintenance, feel free to take your vehicle in for servicing. Check out a Fiesta Volkswagen dealer in Albuquerque, NM for more helpful tips.
