Winter car care tips

Posted on December 4, 2021

As the days get shorter and the temperatures get colder, it's time to think about how your car will handle the tough conditions of winter. Gloomy mornings, freezing air, and slippery driving conditions all put a vehicle's engineering under much higher levels of stress and strain than smooth summer driving. If you want to see the spring arrive with your car still in great condition, it's important to prepare it beforehand and to look after it over the long winter months. Here are some of the most important winter car care tips you can follow.

1) Inspect Your Lights

The visibility on gloomy winter days is often worsened by snow and fog, and the short daylight hours also mean much of your driving will be done in complete darkness. It's vital that all your interior and exterior lights are fully working. Check each one, and also inspect the bulb and surrounds for any signs of wear and tear, including yellowing, clouding, and cracking.

2) Top Up Coolants

Next, check that your car's coolant levels are fully topped up and filled with fresh antifreeze. Don't rely on last year's coolant liquids to still work, as they degrade over time and become less and less effective at protecting your car.

3) Replace the Engine Oil

If you're due an oil check before the end of winter, bring it forward and replace the existing oil with a synthetic formulation, choosing one with greater protection at low temperatures. If you need any advice on which type of engine oil is best for your vehicle over winter, call into our car service centre and our expert technicians will be happy to help.

4) Check the Battery

A car battery needs to work a lot harder in winter, when the lights and heater will be working overtime. Check that your battery is still holding plenty of charge, and look for any visible signs of wear such as bulges, cracks, or corrosion. Also, turn on all the electrical items in your car and see if they're all working correctly when the battery is under maximum strain.

5) Switch to Winter Tires

Once the temperature starts to get close to freezing point, regular tires provide less and less grip. And once there's snow and ice on the ground, they can become positively dangerous. Replace them with winter tires well before the first predicted snows to avoid being stranded.

6) Schedule a Car Maintenance and Service

Lastly, book a car servicing appointment check all of the many other items that need to be in good shape before the winter sets in. It's much more cost effective to make any necessary repairs now rather than waiting until disaster strikes in the middle of a winter storm.

Expert Winter Car Maintenance at Bustard Chrysler

Don't take any chances with your car's winter health and what it means for your safety. Book a winter car care appointment at our Waterloo car service centre and get your vehicle in great shape to handle the testing months to come.