With winter approaching, Colorado has already started to experience some ice and snow. While you might have switched your heater on and taken your boots and sweaters out of storage in preparation, you should also ready your car for the frigid temperatures. While regular auto service is always valuable for maintaining the health of your vehicle, this is the time of year when you need it to run its smoothest and react its quickest. Here are a few ways your mechanic can make your car safer to drive this winter.

How to Get Your Car Ready For Winter

1. Check Tires & Replace if Necessary

Good tires can stop you from sliding on slippery winter roads. To check the tread, place a heads-up penny in a tire groove. If you can see Lincoln’s hair, it’s time to have a professional auto service replace the tire. Be sure to check different areas on all four tires as the tread doesn’t always wear evenly.

You’ll also want to make sure your tire pressure is within the recommended range. You should be able to find the optimal pressure levels in your owner’s manual.

2. Get an Oil Change

Car oil tends to thicken with colder temperatures. Therefore, a thinner, more viscous oil will perform better in your car during the winter than the ones commonly used during the summer. Your owner’s manual will specify the right type of oil to use, but you can also ask your auto mechanic for recommendations.

3. Check & Fill Fluids

It’s likely you haven’t used or changed your coolant since early spring last year. Not only can this degrade over time, unbalancing the 1:1 ratio of water and antifreeze it is supposed to have, but it can also lose its ability to combat rust. This could lead to corrosion in any part of your car that the coolant runs through, including your radiator. Most auto service experts recommend replacing the coolant every 30,000 to 50,000 miles. Consider also replenishing your supply of wiper fluid, as well as investing in new wiper blades.

If you’re looking to have your vehicle tuned up before the winter, Rocky Ford Discount Tire in Rocky Ford, CO, is ready to get the job done. With more than four decades of experience in the auto service industry, their team knows how to get your car in shape for the long and cold season ahead. Visit the website for a full list of services or call (719) 254-3391 to speak with a friendly representative.