With the colder months approaching, it’s important to take the proper steps to certify your vehicle can handle all that winter has to throw at it. AAW Auto Parts, a leading car parts supplier in Pasco, WA, understands winters in the northwest can be harsh. Below, they share a few tips to help you prepare for the freeze. 

How to Protect Your Ride This Winter

1. Check Your Tires

Inspect your tires for noticeable cracks in the sidewalls or valves that could cause flats or leaks, and fill them to the proper PSI levels if necessary. Also, if you switched your tires during the summertime, replace them with your winter treads before the cold sets in. 

2. Replenish Fluids

Your engine and other car parts rely on the proper amount of fluids to function, which is why topping off your coolant, antifreeze, and wiper fluid is a must. Invest in an oil change before winter to ensure your car performs well when the temperature drops. 

3. Replace the Wiper Blades

​​​​​​​Your wiper blades impact your visibility on the road, so it’s important they function in the harsh rain, sleet, and snow common in the northwest during wintertime. Replace your worn wiper blades well before the first freeze. 

​​​​​​​4. Inspect the Car Battery

The cold weather can make it difficult for your engine to turn over in frigid temperatures. When inspecting your car battery, check for fluid leaks or cracks in the battery casing; it may also be prudent to bring it to your local car parts specialist so they can see how well it’s charging. 

​​​​​​​5. Check Your Brakes

Functioning brakes are crucial to staying safe on icy roads. Before winter, check your brakes to make sure you don’t need repairs or pad replacements, and if you do, bring your vehicle in for service as soon as possible. 

With a few precautionary measures, you can stay safe on the road this winter. Contact the experts from AAW Auto Parts in Franklin County for a range of essential parts, including oil filters, car batteries, and spark plugs. Call (509) 547-6000, and visit them online for a closer look at their inventory of wholesale car parts.