With winter on the way, ensuring your car’s heater is in working order is a key step in preparing for the cold season. This auto maintenance necessity goes beyond keeping you warm as you drive. It also entails guaranteeing that your entire heating and cooling system is functioning to avoid foggy windows, frozen components, and serious auto repair. Below is a breakdown of why car heaters should be inspected before the temperatures drop.

Preventive Auto Maintenance

Routine auto maintenance should always include a review of your heating and cooling system. This includes coolant flushes and filling to protect your vehicle on particularly frigid days. Ensuring all fluids in your car are at the right levels will keep your car’s vital systems from overworking.

Testing a car heater catches trouble before it starts. Fans and dials should be inspected at different levels of power to ensure optimal airflow and temperature. In case of a malfunction, you can repair them before you are relying heavily on your heater.

An overall service also removes debris in your radiator that’s causing rattling noises as you drive. Fan blades and motors should be checked for grime and particles interfering with usage. Lubrication should be inspected so parts don’t grind when you turn up the thermostat.

Related Auto Repairs

Early auto maintenance also ensures that you don’t have coolant leaks. When coolant levels are too low, the chances of your car overheating increase dramatically.

Another part to check is the air filter. When this part gets clogged, warm air struggles to filter in, which means more wear and tear to maintain temperatures.

Don’t forget the air conditioner side of your system. While you aren’t relying on the AC to cool the car, you do need it to remove moisture from the air inside the cabin and stop foggy windows from obstructing your vision.

When you need auto maintenance in La Crosse and Onalaska, WI, and Winona, MN, head to one of Dee’s Auto Care Specialists three locations. Since 1936, these auto repair experts have provided the best in vehicle care, ranging from oil changes and alignments to brake and muffler services. For an appointment call (608) 782-2530 or stop by their website for a full list of offerings.