Get Ready for Winter With These Car Maintenance Tips

With Thanksgiving now past us, the weather will only grow colder (and the driving conditions more dangerous) as we near the winter months. If you haven’t already done so, take a look at our fall car care tips. These cover the basics on caring for your vehicle and may be enough to get you through winter, depending on where you live. We have provided the following additional tips for drivers living in harsh winter conditions, so that you can deal with the winter, sleek roads, and unbearable cold.

Follow Up On Maintenance

The last thing you want is for your car to break down in the middle of the road, right in the dead of winter. Have your car inspected and make sure they check your brakes to ensure it is ready for the road. Pay particular notice to your windshield wipers, blinkers, front and back headlights, and heater, as these are particularly important this time of year. Now’s also a great time to make sure your car is up-to-date with all the necessary maintenance tasks. There are a range of apps available to help you track your maintenance schedule, so use technology to ensure you never miss a tune-up again.

Invest in Tire Chains and New Mats

Invest in tire chains or winter tires. This makes it significantly safer to drive on snowy roads and mountain passes. Your vehicle interior will become dirty with the wet, snowy conditions. Invest in affordable vehicle mats so all of the dirt and outdoor elements can stay in one place. You can easily take them out to clean or just replace them altogether after the season is over.

Keep Your Car Clean

A salt mixture is frequently spread on snowy roads and sidewalks to melt away the snow. While this can make it easier to get around, the salt can wreak havoc on your vehicle’s underside. Make a conscious effort to keep your vehicle clean to help minimize these damaging effects. Look into car washes, steam cleaning, and undercarriage cleaning services, and consider having your car’s underside waxed and sealed to prevent car corrosion.

Avoid the Heated Parking Lots

Heated parking lots and garages may seem like a good idea in the cold winter mornings, but they can actually accelerate corrosion from salt and ice. On the other hand, if you leave your vehicle outside in below freezing temperatures, oxidation is inhibited and the rusting processed is slowed down.

Upgrade Your Vehicle

Did you know that many new and pre-owned vehicles now come standard with a cold weather package and/or heated seats? If your vehicle is beyond repair and the heater won’t even kick in anymore, it’s time for an upgrade. Contact Messy Motors at 888-309-1049 and we will be happy to take the junk car off your hands and tow it away within 24 hours. You can then use the money from the junk car sale as a down payment on a new or used vehicle that can last you reliably through this winter and many more to come.