Winter Car Care Services

Keeping up with seasonal car care in advance of winter will help keep your car running optimally through the year’s coldest months. While your car can run into problems any time of the year, you don’t want to end up stranded in freezing temperatures or blizzard conditions. Winter can also be especially hard on certain parts of your car.

Battery Check

Cold temperatures can suck the life out of your battery – literally. The colder it is, the tougher it is for your battery to do its job. If your battery is already wearing out, that can mean your car simply won’t start. In 32-degree weather, your battery loses 35% of its strength. Once temperatures hit 0 degrees, your car battery could lose 60% of its strength. That’s a big deal if your battery isn’t fairly new, to begin with.

Luckily, it’s easy to get your battery checked to make sure it can hold enough charge to get you through the lowest temperatures of winter. Any mechanic and even some auto part shops can check your battery and charging system to make sure you’re prepared.

Cooling System

It may seem counter-intuitive to get your cooling system checked to go into winter, but it actually does a lot to keep your car operating well year-round. First, you want to make sure your antifreeze is at the correct ratio so that it can keep your engine cool without freezing. Your local mechanic will know the correct ratio to put in your car when you go in for a service.

Your car’s coolant also contains anti-corrosion agents to prevent buildup within the radiator and heater core. This means your coolant not only keeps your engine at a healthy temperature, but also aids in maintaining your car’s heater, which will keep you comfortable when temperatures drop.

Belts, Hoses, Spark Plugs, Wires & Cables

While these can give out at any time of the year, there’s more benefit to being proactive in the winter. By getting these checked in the fall or early winter, you can get it fixed before it truly gives out and strands you in freezing weather. Luckily, these are included in many routine safety checks, such as AAMCO Minnesota’s.

Be Prepared with a Winter Safety Kit

While you want to head off any potential car problems in the winter months, it’s best to be prepared for an unexpected issue. No one expects their car to die on their way to work in the morning or to come out to a dead car battery – but it can still happen. And what if you’re out in the middle of nowhere when it happens?

Keeping a few supplies on hand in your car can make a huge difference in the winter. Be prepared to get your car unstuck when snow strikes and have a few necessities on hand in case you get stranded and must wait for help to arrive.

Here are just a few essentials to keep on hand in your car:

• First Aid Kit
• Ice Scraper & Brush
• Jumper Cables
• Flashlight & Batteries
• Flares
• Warm Clothing & Blankets
• Non-Perishable Food & Water
• Sand/Gravel/Cat Litter & Shovel