It’s that time of year again. No, it’s not just about the holidays. We’re talking about the season changing and why you should really concern yourself with the approaching winter. We all know what below freezing temperatures can do to our cars. This is when engine freeze-ups and hard starts are most common. Thankfully, there are ways to avoid winter-related issues with your vehicle. Follow these simple tips from car dealerships near Rio Rancho, NM.
Get new and thicker tires
You will need as much grip on the road as possible to maintain stability while driving. Sliding and skidding may seem funny, but they take a toll on your brakes and suspension as well as pose a risk of getting into an accident. Therefore, you better get some winter tires. The thicker the tread, the better traction they provide. You may rotate your tires if they still have enough tread to last the cold season. Rotating allows you to use the sections of your tires that aren’t heavily worn out yet.
Lubricate the doors and windows
If you park your car outside, chances are morning dew drippings along the frames and weather strips of your car windows will freeze. This makes the windows hard to open. Moreover, forcing them open might damage the regulator cable, which is difficult to replace. The same thing can happen to your door locks. That’s why any Subaru dealer near Santa Fe, NM, will advise you to lubricate those areas. Lube is a substance with a much lower freezing point than water. And like any other oil, it’s hydrophobic, so water just slides off its surface.
Install winter wiper blades
Take out those standard wiper blades that served you from summer through fall. They’re probably worn out anyway. Replace them with winter wiper blades. These are thicker and have a rubber boot that scrapes off more snow than standard wiper blades. A clear windshield gives you a better view of the road and prevents accidents. Ask a trusted dealer of Subaru near Rio Rancho, NM for recommendations on where to buy quality replacements.
Check, clean, and protect your battery
Your car’s battery is among the first car parts to experience the full brunt of winter. It is notoriously susceptible to extreme temperatures. When exposed to winter frost for an extended period, it might start acting up or, worse, stop feeding power to your car. The last thing you want while driving on a busy highway is a dead battery. You can maintain its temperature by cleaning its surface regularly. You can even spray a protective coating on the terminals to prevent corrosion.
Prepare a traditional heater
A breakdown during a blizzard is every driver’s nightmare. While you can avoid freezing by keeping your car running, you can’t expect your fuel to last until help arrives or the weather improves. So it’s best to have an alternative heat source in your vehicle for emergencies like this. A candle-powered heater consisting of a candle in an empty can is a cheap but effective option.
Preparing your vehicle for winter takes a lot of work, but it shouldn’t be tricky if you know what steps to take. It will be best to do all the maintenance work before the weather worsens. You can check one section of your car at a time if you don’t have a lot of free time. Check out a Fiesta Subaru car dealer in the Albuquerque, NM area for more tips.
