Tips for Winterizing Your Vehicle

With the winter weather season upon us, you'll want to start preparing now to make sure your vehicle is fine-tuned and set up for that long road trip home for the holidays. Whether you are traveling home or just going out on vacation to go skiing or snowshoeing, winterizing your vehicle will be extremely important. In this article, we'll go over some steps you can take in order to create a vehicle that is optimized for the winter. 

Make sure you have great visibility

One of the first things you should do, especially if you are driving in snowier conditions, is to make sure that you have great visibility in front of you. And it's not just about the snow. Other materials like dirt, mud, and salt residue can also get mixed into the slush pile on the road and splatter all over your windshield. As a result, you will be using your windshield washer much of the time. To have quality functionality here, you will need to make sure that you are keeping your washer reservoir filled with a washer solution that contains antifreeze. 

Additionally, you will need to make sure that your car's heater and defrost mode are working optimally. If you have warm air circulating throughout the car, it can quickly defrost the external windshield. Turn the heat up on your air conditioning to help speed up the defogging. Avoid touching the "recirculation" button and make sure you have set the A/C to hot. 

You will also need to make sure that your lights are working properly and cleared of any residue ice that could build up and create fog on the lights. This could obstruct nighttime visibility and cause oncoming motorists to not see you. 

Make the switch to snow tires

Driving in slippery and snowy conditions can be an absolute pain and is even worse when you don't have the right equipment. Instead of using your all-season tires, you should choose a set of winter tires that have tread patterns specifically designed for optimal traction on slick roads that are covered with black ice, snow, dirt, and anything else that is in the slush pile. Winter tiles usually have a shorter tread life and will not last as long but are worth it for the safety that they ensure. Having them pre-mounted on steel wheels that can withstand damage will make it easier to switch between the sets of tires. 

If you plan on driving in extremely adverse winter conditions, consider getting studded tires or tires with chains. These will provide extra friction against slippery surfaces.

Get an oil change 

If you have yet to get an oil change this season, now is the perfect time to get one. Make sure you get a lighter-weight oil that makes it easier to start the engine. As cold weather thickens engine oil, one that is less in density and weight will make it easier to circulate and cause less of a strain on the starter and battery. Essentially, you will want to have a thinner oil in the wintertime and a thicker oil in the summers and hotter weather. 

Let the engine warm-up

As we mentioned earlier, as cold weather thickens oil, it makes it more difficult for the engine to circulate. As a result, it's helpful to turn your engine on and give it some time to warm up before pulling out of the driveway and heading for the road. Getting smooth oil flow is paramount to having an engine that runs smoothly and without any other issues. Engines that don't get time to warm up properly in colder weather can also cause the vehicle to have downstream issues like electronics and A/C not working properly, as well as low visibility from defogging not being able to take place. 

Even if you do let the engine idle a bit initially, you don't want to go full speed when you are pulling out. Make sure to drive cautiously until your temperature gauge moves up or the cold engine light goes out. Overheating from being too eager to drive off can cause a myriad of problems down the line for your vehicle. 

With the temperatures dropping and the winter months right around the corner, you'll want to start getting your vehicle prepped and ready sooner rather than later. By following these tips, you'll be well-prepared for the road trip back home for the holidays. If you are interested in learning more about how you can winterize your vehicle, contact us today at (740) 679-6443.