Winter Vehicle Care: Tips for Proper Operation and Maintenance
Winterize Your Vehicle for Safety and Performance
Regular Maintenance is Key
Service Manager Donny Caron from Riverside Chevrolet GMC emphasizes the importance of regular intervals of maintenance. This includes oil changes, tire rotations, and other essential services to keep your vehicle running smoothly. He also highlights the significance of cleaning off your vehicle after a heavy snowfall to prevent damage.About 60 percent of their calls on the day after a heavy ice or snow storm are due to wipers not working. Caron recommends sticking the wipers up if there is impending snow or ice in the forecast and keeping the gas tank at least half full to prevent moisture from building up in the tank and costly repairs.
Part Sales Martin Edwards at Chatfield Machine Napa of Escanaba agrees, stating that preparing your vehicle as much as possible for the colder months is essential. He emphasizes having quality wiper blades, headlamps, and tires to ensure safety on the road.
Correct Wiper Fluid is Crucial
Using the correct blend of wiper fluid is vital. Using the wrong blend can lead to freezing and cracking of the lines that go to the windshield washing sprayers. Edwards explains that having a working wiper system is especially critical during the summer when dealing with bugs.You can avoid unnecessary repairs by getting your wiper fluid ready for winter. It's a simple change that can make a big difference in the performance of your vehicle.
Battery Care in Winter
Batteries play a crucial role in winter. Colder weather can reduce their performance and lifespan. Edwards recommends getting your battery tested and unplugging chargers or other power-draining devices from auxiliary and cigarette ports.Leaving cables in can slowly drain a battery, even if it is of good quality or new. Stressing the battery makes the charging system work harder, which can lead to problems.
Warming Up the Vehicle
Both Caron and Edwards agree that a vehicle should be warmed up for at least 10 to 15 minutes before hitting the road. This allows the fluid in the vehicle to move around, the coolant to circulate, and the transmission and engine oil to warm up, improving their performance.For those with short commutes, it's especially important to allow the engine to reach the proper operating temperature. These short trips are not good for the engine, and proper warm-ups are necessary.
Tire Maintenance
Caron recommends all-weather tires for the UP climate. Cold weather can affect tire pressure, so it's important to check and fill the tires to the proper level. Research shows that for every 10 degrees the temperature drops, tires typically lose one to two pounds of pressure.Having good tires on your vehicle is paramount for safety. Quality tires with decent tread are essential during the winter months.
Cleaning the Vehicle
While the vehicle is heating up, it's important to clean off as much snow as possible, especially from the windows and lights. Headlights caked in snow reduce visibility and pose a hazard to both the driver and other motorists.For those who travel a medium to far distance every day, going to a car wash once a week to remove snow debris and road salt is recommended. Edwards emphasizes the importance of cleaning the underbody of the vehicle to remove salt from open metal spaces.
Driving Tips on the Road
Caron provides tips for driving on the road during winter, including driving slower, keeping a safe distance from other vehicles, taking your time, and practicing defensive driving. Edwards echoes these tips, emphasizing the importance of paying attention to other drivers."You can't expect everyone around you to be driving safely. Pay attention to your surroundings as it could potentially save your life or the lives of others." This is the most important thing - everyone being safe on the road.