Von Schledorn Auto Group Official Blog
Get Your Vehicle Ready for Cold Weather and Snow
By Product Expert | Posted in Holiday, Seasonal, Tips and Info on Tuesday, November 5th, 2019 at 9:30 am
How to Prepare Your Car for Winter
Whether you’re ready or not, winter is closer than you think. We’ve already had the first snow fall of the season and temperatures have dropped. It’s important to keep your car in tip-top shape during winter months so you can consistently rely on it. What can you do to get your car ready for winter and prepare for the most intense season of the year? Even though we can’t persuade Mother Nature to skip this snowy season, we can prepare and get our cars ready for the cold weather.
Check Before Winter
The first thing you do when you start your car is turn on the defroster and heater to set yourself up for a comfortable drive. Be sure to check both functions before winter strikes so you can stay warm all season long. One way to avoid having to jump-start your car is by regularly checking your battery to make sure it’s functioning properly. As far as tires go, check the tire pressure and make sure they have enough air, also make sure the treads aren’t too worn out, because you’ll want to be able to get enough traction to drive through the snow and ice. You should change your windshield washer fluid to something with antifreeze and upgrade the windshield wipers to a more heavy-duty pair.
Want to be prepared for winter? Read: How Can I Drive Safely on Snowy Roads in Wisconsin this Winter?
Gas, Oil and Antifreeze
Purchase a few bottles of gas-line antifreeze to add to your gas tank when the temperatures drop to below freezing to keep your gas flowing. Make sure you keep your gas tank above ¼ of a tank. You also might want to switch the engine oil to a thinner oil. Additionally, you are going to want to check the ratio of your engine coolant and water and make sure it is a 60/40 with coolant being the majority.
Read more: How Can I Safely Deep-Fry a Thanksgiving Turkey?
Emergency Supplies the Car
There are a few things you should always have in your car to keep you prepared for whatever might happen. First off, buy yourself a quality ice scraper to take care of the windows and windshield. Second, you’re going to want to prepare a bag with a couple blankets, a first aid kit, phone charger, de-icing salt, a shovel, flashlight, batteries, gloves, a handwarmer, snow boots and whatever else you can think of.
If you think it’s time to upgrade to a vehicle with AWD or 4WD, make check the inventory at Eric Von Schledorn in Milwaukee, WI. Comment your tips for preparing your car for winter!
