Seasonal car maintenance gives your ride the help it needs to face the elements. If you’re a new vehicle owner and need to prepare the car for winter, use this guide to get started. Winter weather can harm cars in numerous ways, such as decreasing tire pressure and causing motor oil to congeal.

5 Car Maintenance Tips to Complete Before Winter

1. Check the Battery

Inspect the car battery for corrosion and leaks that interfere with performance. Wear thick gloves and use an old toothbrush to remove debris and rust.

Also, check the window on top of the part indicating how charged or not the battery is. If power is low, get the battery tested at your local auto service shop and consider a replacement if the charge remains low. Car batteries typically last three to five years, so keep that in mind.

2. Wash & Wax

Eliminate dirt, road dust, and grime from your car during fall, then apply wax as per the manufacturer’s instructions to protect the paint from road salt, snow, rain, and ice. All of these elements can corrode paint, causing rust spots that mar its appearance. Rust also spreads quickly and weakens metal.

3. Replace the Oil

Schedule an oil change prior to winter so fresh oil lubricates the engine. Cold weather hardens oil to prevent it from circulating efficiently. And since dirty oil is thicker than fresh oil, it exacerbates winter-related engine damage.

Get other fluids checked and either topped off or replaced as well, including the transmission, brake, and windshield wiper fluid, to keep your car functional throughout the season.

4. Check the HVAC System

Ask your car maintenance team to inspect the heating/cooling system before the weather turns frigid. They’ll identify problems such as brittle radiator hoses that cause antifreeze leaks, and flush the system if necessary. Cooling systems require flushing every two years to prevent corrosion from taking over.

5. Purchase a Tire Gauge Tool

Buy an inexpensive tire gauge tool to monitor tire pressure on a monthly basis. Every 10-degree drop in temperature causes tire pressure to decrease by one to two pounds per square inch (psi).

Under-inflated tires cause premature wear because the rubber makes more contact with the road, increasing friction and heat. Keep your car in a temperature-controlled garage to help avoid deflation issues as well as congealed oil and a dead battery. 

Work with the ASE®-certified mechanics at Ken Marcotte’s Professional Auto Service to ready your car for winter weather. The Loveland, OH-based car maintenance and repair center offers a comprehensive range of services, including car diagnostics, oil changes, brake repairs, and tire replacements. Call (513) 683-7852 today to make an appointment or visit the website for car maintenance service information.