Winter is Almost Here! Is Your Vehicle Ready?

If you’ve lived in Michigan long, you know what winter roads can be like here. Aside from difficult driving conditions, the cold winter months can wreak havoc on your vehicle. Below is a list of tips to get your vehicle ready for winter, from simple things you can do yourself to maintenance that can be performed at Thelen’s service departments. Check the service page on ThinkThelen.com for current service specials to help you prepare for the winter months ahead. A little preparation now can keep you and your family safe on the roads, and your car ready to go when you are.

Before you do anything else, read your owner’s manual and follow your manufacturer’s recommended scheduled maintenance.

Change your oil and filter as recommended. This should be done regularly anyway, but it’s especially important in the winter when cold temperatures can gang up on your engine.

Make sure the heater and defroster are in good working condition. No one likes riding in a cold car, and the defroster will help maintain visibility by keeping your windshield from icing over while driving down the road.

Check your antifreeze. Antifreeze is an essential part of your vehicle’s winter protection. Make sure the level is full and the mixture is as close to 50/50 as possible (50% antifreeze/50% water).

Check the windshield wipers. They’ll get a workout keeping the snow and ice off your windshield. Top off the windshield washer fluid reservior regularly, too.

Have the battery checked. Nobody likes to get in their car just to find out the battery is dead from freezing temps. It also wouldn’t hurt to leave some jumper cables in your vehicle.

Check your tires. Make sure they have enough tread and are inflated to the proper tire pressure. While you’re at it, check the spare and jack…they aren’t much good if the spare is flat or the jack is broken!

Have your brakes checked. Slippery roads can make stopping difficult enough, be sure your brake pads and anti-lock brake system are in good working order.

Do you have four-wheel drive? Get it checked out to make sure it is functioning properly, and make sure anyone who drives your vehicle knows how to engage and disengage the four-wheel drive system properly.

Be prepared. Have an emergency kit in case the worst does happen and you are stranded. Some handy items to have in case of emergency would be a blanket, flashlight, bottled water and sealed food (such as nutrition bars or granola bars), gloves, a cell phone, a basic toolkit, extra oil and antifreeze…just to name a few.

Of course, this is not an all-inclusive list. If you have any questions about what mainenance services should be performed on your vehicle to prepare for a winter of safe driving, please contact the service departments at Thelen Auto Group. Our friendly service advisors will make sure you get the best advice and the proper care for your vehicle.

Stay safe this winter!

Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »