Five Tips that will Help You Prepare Your Car for Winter

Author: sebastiangaydos | Posted: 17.07.2012

It’s an absolute fact that safety is something that every car owner should keep in mind all the time. However, when winter comes, there are definitely some vehicle maintenance jobs, specific to the season, which have to be done in your car. In Edmonton, these are best started before the winter months of November to March when snow can reach knee-deep.

Get the right kind of oil for your engine – the oil you use for winter should have the right viscosity for this time of year. Oil tends to thicken in the cold. If it gets too thick, it won’t do its job of keeping your engine lubricated. Check your vehicle owner’s manual on the type of engine oil for your vehicle during winter.

Replace your windshield wipers – winter is the perfect time to replace your windshield wipers, considering that their usual lifespan is one year. Be sure to buy a new pair to guarantee better performance especially in heavy snowfall. Another thing to keep in mind: don’t put plain water in your windshield water reservoir because it will only freeze up during this time of year. Use windshield washer fluid instead.

Consider switching to snow tires – Do you live in a hilly part of Edmonton? If you do, you might want to improve your vehicle’s traction by investing in winter tires and using them over the next few months, since winter in Edmonton can last from four to five months. Also, be sure to check your tire pressure constantly, because tires lose some pressure when it gets cold.

Check your battery – winter is probably the worst season to have your battery conk out on you. Make sure your battery posts are free from any signs of corrosion and that your battery has enough fluid. If your battery is more than three years, have a technician from any of the used car dealers Edmonton car owners prefer to check its ability to hold a charge.

Get the antifreeze mixture right – the antifreeze is the liquid that goes into your radiator. Ideally, the liquid needs to be 50% water and 50% antifreeze. Many service centers of used car dealerships Edmonton residents go to will check the mixture for free, or you can buy an inexpensive antifreeze tester from any auto parts store. If the mixture is off, you need to drain your cooling system and refill it with the right mixture of water and antifreeze.

Also, if your car is due for maintenance service anytime soon, have it scheduled at any service center of used car dealerships Edmonton before winter comes. For more tips on getting your vehicle ready for the winter, visit howstuffworks.com/car-driving-safety/accidents-hazardous-conditions/how-to-prepare-your-car-for-winter.htm.



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