How to Prepare Your Car for Winter
Winter can be challenging for even experienced northern Michigan drivers, but it’s also tough on your vehicle. We put together a few ways to prepare your car for winter that will help you hit the road safely. Many of these tips can be tackled at home and offer low-cost, accessible ways to keep yourself and your family on the move without worrying about a breakdown.
How to Winterize a Car Yourself
Drivers can substantially improve their vehicle’s performance by addressing common visibility and traction problems caused by winter driving conditions. Here’s what you can do at home!
Check Your Tire Pressure
For every 10-degree change in air temperature, our tires will likely lose or gain 1 psi. When temperatures drop in winter, check your tire pressure every week and refill as needed. Consider storing a tire gauge in your glove box and refer to your owner’s manual for recommended tire pressures.
2. Install Winter Windshield Wipers
Winter wipers have a slightly different rubber blade that improves performance in snow and ice. They tend to hold up better in cold conditions and enhance visibility by removing snow quickly, but make sure to remove them in the spring to get multiple seasons from a single pair.
3. Keep Windshield Washer Fluid Topped Off
Drivers use more washer fluid during the winter months to clean off snow, ice, and road spray. Keep your washer fluid topped off, and consider adding a reminder on your phone or calendar to check it every month.
4. Pack a Winter Safety Kit
Even well-maintained vehicles and experienced winter drivers can run into trouble. Prepare for winter breakdowns or accidents with a winter road safety kit stocked with a few key items:
Non-perishable, ready-to-eat food and snack items
Jumper cables
Road flares
Warm clothing and blanket
Spare battery to charge your cell phone
Small shovel
Reflective vest
Bottled water
Read more: This is The Best Time to Buy a Car
Winterize Your Car with Garfield Auto
Before winter arrives, consider having your car professionally serviced. As a part of our tune-up, we’ll inspect dozens of critical systems and high-wear parts, including those most affected by winter driving conditions. Just a few of those checkpoints include:
Battery - Your car battery’s power output declines as temperatures drop. We’ll let you know if your battery exceeds the recommended 600 CCA for winter performance. If it’s too weak, we’ll get your permission to replace it.
Antifreeze - We’ll check your antifreeze levels and recommend winter-ready formulations to ensure consistent performance.
Tires - While we don’t stock tires, we can help you inspect tires and determine if it’s time for new tires.
Stay on the Move This Winter with Garfield Auto
We’ve helped northern Michigan families safely enjoy winter travel and activities for over 40 years. Count on our experienced, friendly technicians to recommend the right service and repairs at a fair price. See what five-start really means; schedule an appointment with us today!