Nebraskan winters can cause auto issues that affect the way your vehicle performs. Therefore, before the snow starts to fall, take steps to prepare your car for the cold. The following auto maintenance guide offers advice for getting ready for the change in weather. 

How to Winterize Your Car or Truck

1. Check Tire Pressure

Since air molecules contract during cold conditions, tires tend to lose pressure. For every 10-degree temperature decrease, your tires may lose one to two pounds per square inch (PSI). Check the recommended PSI, written on the inside of your driver’s side door, and read the pressure with a digital gauge. If it’s too low, add enough air to slightly overfill your tires, which will make up for pressure loss. 

2. Conduct a Battery Test

Cold temperatures will cause a car battery to use more power to start the engine. Your battery may die during the winter as a result of excess current output. Connect a multimeter to the terminals; if the reading falls beneath 12.6 volts, replace it to avoid winter breakdowns. Install a battery with 600 cold-cranking amps (CCA) to maintain its voltage and help it have a longer winter life span. 

3. Get Oil Changes

Cool weather increases the viscosity of motor oil, causing it to thicken. When it turns to sludge, the fluid won’t flow smoothly through the engine, preventing lubrication from reaching the mechanical components. This causes metal parts to rub together, creating friction, which leads to overheating. Prevent breakdowns with regular oil changes during winter. Replace the fluid every three months or 3,000 miles. 

4. Upgrade Tires

When temperatures drop to freezing, the rubber in all-season tires tends to harden, interfering with its ability to make secure contact with the pavement. Winter tires have rubber compounds that remain soft during snowy and icy conditions, maximizing traction to prevent sliding, skidding, or running off the roads.

Ensure that your vehicle runs smoothly and dependably throughout winter with auto maintenance from Hillis 66. These mechanics provide new tires, oil changes, and brake repairs to drivers throughout Lincoln, NE. Call (402) 474-2891 to get an estimate on vehicle repairs. Visit the website to learn more about how they can keep your car or truck safe on the roads.