What Does it Mean to Winterize a Car?
If you’re heading across the country on a road trip in the next few months or heading up to the mountains for fun in the snow, remember it’s important that not only are you up to the challenge of possible hazardous winter driving conditions but also that your car is ready too! Ask your mechanic what does it mean to winterize a car so that you don’t experience a breakdown somewhere looking for an emergency car repair.
7 Car Winterizing Tips:
- Install winter wipers -- These come equipped with rubber that keeps ice from collecting on the blades. Winter wipers are heavier than regular ones so remove them when returning to a warmer climate to prevent burning out the motor.
- Winter/Snow tires -- If you are planning to drive in a place that has a lot of snow, it may be wise to install winter tires. These tires use special compounds engineered to resist hardening in cold temperatures, providing better traction. You may want to keep chains in the trunk as well and know how to install them.
- Keep washer fluid reservoir full -- When driving in snow and ice, you will use a lot of washer fluid to keep your windshield clean. You may want to keep a spare bottle in the trunk.
- Pack a winter safety kit – Include an ice scraper, bag of sand and a shovel, cell phone and charger, flares, extra antifreeze, flashlight and batteries, toolkit, including jumper cables and lug wrench and jacks for changing a tire, blankets and extra clothing such as jackets, hats, socks, and boots, plus non-perishable food and water.
- Service your vehicle – This is the most important precaution for safe winter driving. Have that needed oil change, a new battery, a radiator inspection, and make sure you have the correct antifreeze to water ratio. Belts and hoses, spark plugs, wires and cables can go bad at any time of year, but if they go bad during the winter, you could be stranded in a very cold place for a very long time. Check the tread and air pressure of all the tires, including the spare.
- Keep the gas tank at least half full -- A full tank can help prevent gas line freeze ups. And, if you get stranded, your engine may be the only thing to keep you warm until help arrives.
- Keep your rear-window defroster in working order -- Being unable to see behind you could create unsafe driving conditions. Check your rear-window defroster to be sure it’s working properly.
A Word to the Wise: If the roads are too dangerous, stay off the road. Don't risk an accident!
Need to know more about what does it mean to winterize a car? Contact our ASE-certified technicians at Rebel Automotive for more information about car repair and to schedule an appointment. Our auto shop serves vehicle owners in Henderson, NV, Las Vegas, NV, and North Las Vegas, NV.
If you’re heading across the country on a road trip in the next few months or heading up to the mountains for fun in the snow, remember it’s important that not only are you up to the challenge of possible hazardous winter driving conditions but also that your car is ready too! Ask your mechanic what does it mean to winterize a car so that you don’t experience a breakdown somewhere looking for an emergency car repair.
7 Car Winterizing Tips:
- Install winter wipers -- These come equipped with rubber that keeps ice from collecting on the blades. Winter wipers are heavier than regular ones so remove them when returning to a warmer climate to prevent burning out the motor.
- Winter/Snow tires -- If you are planning to drive in a place that has a lot of snow, it may be wise to install winter tires. These tires use special compounds engineered to resist hardening in cold temperatures, providing better traction. You may want to keep chains in the trunk as well and know how to install them.
- Keep washer fluid reservoir full -- When driving in snow and ice, you will use a lot of washer fluid to keep your windshield clean. You may want to keep a spare bottle in the trunk.
- Pack a winter safety kit – Include an ice scraper, bag of sand and a shovel, cell phone and charger, flares, extra antifreeze, flashlight and batteries, toolkit, including jumper cables and lug wrench and jacks for changing a tire, blankets and extra clothing such as jackets, hats, socks, and boots, plus non-perishable food and water.
- Service your vehicle – This is the most important precaution for safe winter driving. Have that needed oil change, a new battery, a radiator inspection, and make sure you have the correct antifreeze to water ratio. Belts and hoses, spark plugs, wires and cables can go bad at any time of year, but if they go bad during the winter, you could be stranded in a very cold place for a very long time. Check the tread and air pressure of all the tires, including the spare.
- Keep the gas tank at least half full -- A full tank can help prevent gas line freeze ups. And, if you get stranded, your engine may be the only thing to keep you warm until help arrives.
- Keep your rear-window defroster in working order -- Being unable to see behind you could create unsafe driving conditions. Check your rear-window defroster to be sure it’s working properly.
A Word to the Wise: If the roads are too dangerous, stay off the road. Don't risk an accident!
Need to know more about what does it mean to winterize a car? Contact our ASE-certified technicians at Rebel Automotive for more information about car repair and to schedule an appointment. Our auto shop serves vehicle owners in Henderson, NV, Las Vegas, NV, and North Las Vegas, NV.
