Winter’s extreme cold conditions can damage your vehicle’s exterior, interior, and operational mechanisms. Before even the temperatures start dipping it’s time to start checking off your seasonal car maintenance to-do list. Here are some awesome tips on how to winterize your car.

1. Prepare your Car’s Exterior for Winter

Harsh winter weather can damage your vehicle’s paint and shine making it prone to rust and oxidation. To keep your vehicle protected all through winter it’s critical that you have your car’s exterior waxed before the cold weather hits.

We recommend paying more attention to the lower parts of your vehicle such as the front grille, quarter panels, and behind the wheels. Often, these areas are the first which can be heavily impacted by snow, ice, and salt.

Car buried in snow

2. Wash and Windscreen Wipers

This is the season to take a close look at your windshield wipers. If they are missing spots or leaving streaks it’s time to get new ones. Replacing worn windshield wipers with some winter wiper blades that have a more sturdy frame that won’t clog or freeze will go a long way in improving your visibility all season long. A common mistake that most people make is not replacing the summer screen wash with an antifreeze winter blend when the temperatures start falling.

3. Check Your Lights

Due to fog, rain, and longer periods of darkness visibility is a huge problem during winter. Hence it is critical that you ensure all your exterior lights are in great condition. If there are bulbs that aren’t working ensure you have them replaced. Be sure to check that your full beam and fog lights are illuminating properly. You may also want to have your lights cleaned if they have dirt or residue build-up which can make them dim and discolored. Dead or malfunctioning lights pose a serious safety threat during winter.

4. Have Your Heating System, Thermostat, and Air Filter Inspected

Is your vehicle’s heating system ready for the cold winter months? It’s important that you have it checked at AAMCO Minnesota before the chilly weather sets in. The thermostat should also be inspected since a faulty one won’t allow engine coolant to circulate throughout the vehicle and release warm air. The cabin air filter that keeps out dirt, pollen, and other particles should also be in excellent condition during winter.

Car heating and dash

5. Winter Emergency Kit

Winter weather can be quite unpredictable. Hence you should never wait for the first snow to fall to put a shovel, de-icer, and ice scraper in your boot. Some recommended emergency items include a first aid kit, jump cables, road flares, a flashlight, a blanket, and gloves. Winter elements such as mud, slash, and snow can damage the interior of your vehicle. To prevent this, it’s important that you keep the inside of your car dry and clean. It is recommended that you use winter car mats that can be easily cleaned to prevent a muddy situation.

Car first aid kit

Prep Your Car with Winter Car Care Services at AAMCO Minnesota

There are plenty of things that you can enjoy during winter, but unfortunately driving is trickier during the cold months. You have to contend with long drives in the dark, heavy fog, and a frosted windscreen. But the tips we’ve shared will help prep your car to take on winter driving with confidence. AAMCO Minnesota offers a range of winter car care services to ensure that your vehicle is in great shape and ready for the cold winter months. This also prevents unnecessary and inconveniencing breakdowns and costly repairs. Cold weather can spell doom for motorists. Winterize your car before it gets all chilly and snowy.

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