Read This Winter Vehicle Maintenance Checklist!

You probably clear garbage and clutter out of your car on a regular basis. While this is great, you also need to vacuum the floors and seats, dust the dashboard and other surfaces and clean the windows. This winter, you might also consider preparing the car’s exterior for cold weather. Wash your car, then apply a quality wax made to protect auto paint from the damaging effects of snow, ice and road salt.

Protecting your paint is just one of many items to add to your checklist for winter car maintenance in Salt Lake City, UT. Here are a few more:

• Change the oil and oil filter: You need an oil change every 6,000 to 10,000 miles, depending on the type of vehicle and how you drive it. Another recommendation is to switch from conventional motor oil to a synthetic or synthetic blend oil (as long as it’s safe for your car) that is better for cold weather driving. Synthetic oil does better in low temperatures, doesn’t need time to warm up and protects the engine’s moving parts. Don’t forget to replace the oil filter while you’re at it.
• Check the battery: A dead battery is not ideal anytime of the year, but especially in the winter. Few situations are as uncomfortable as being broken-down on the side of the road on a freezing winter night. Signs your battery is about to die include a sluggish start upon turning on the ignition, the car stuttering even though there’s gas in the tank and an excessive buildup of corrosion on the battery housing. Your mechanic can test your battery to determine how much juice is left in it.
• Inspect the tires: You must ensure your car has excellent traction before winter sets in. Take a close look at your tires. The tread should still have grip, not be bald or cracked or lacking adequate air pressure. If you live in an area that experiences particularly hard winter weather, consider investing in snow tires. Simply switch back to your standard tires after winter.
• Replace old wipers: Windshield wipers need to be replaced every six months, no matter what, as well as when they’re damaged. It’s dangerous to drive with ripped wiper blades when it’s raining or snowing. Busted wipers can’t clear away moisture fast enough, or sometimes even at all. You will not be able to see the road clearly.
• Test the heater and defroster: When driving during the winter, you want the inside of your car to be warm. For the sake of comfort and safety, test your car’s heating system and window defrosters before you actually need them.
• Check the brake system: If your car shakes like it’s reentering the earth’s atmosphere or squeaks like there’s no tomorrow every time you press the brakes, there’s probably an issue with the pads or rotors. Luckily, your mechanic can inspect and test your brake system using computers and professional equipment.

Scheduled preventative maintenance will help you avoid the most common winter car repairs in Salt Lake City, UT. To ensure your car is in tip-top shape, come to AMR Auto Repair & Towing or call us today to book a complete seasonal vehicle checkup.

Categorised in: Auto Repair Shop

This post was written by Writer