Taking Care of Your Car Through Fall & Winter [Infographic]

Need help preparing for the Cold Weather?

Bring your car into your local AAMCO Minnesota today.
Don’t wait until you get stuck in the snow — Winter is coming, prepare now.

Check Your Cooling System

As freezing temperatures start to hit, you want to make sure your engine can run properly. Antifreeze is quite literally what keeps your engine from freezing, meaning you won’t get stranded when the temperature drops. You can stop by most auto supply stores for a coolant mix test kit and it’s simple to add more antifreeze if necessary. And if you aren’t comfortable doing it yourself, a trusted mechanic will happily and easily check for you.

Regardless, you’re better off safe than sorry when it comes to your cooling system this time of year. If you haven’t had yours serviced in a while, it may be a good idea to get a coolant flush with all new fluid before fall and winter get into full swing.

Pay Attention to Your Exhaust System

Your mufflers and exhaust system are all typically located on the underside of your car. This means that bad winter weather like snow and ice can wreak havoc on what used to be a well-functioning system. It’s easy for parts of your exhaust to get bumped and potentially broken during hazardous weather. Plus, the salt often used on roads can coat the underside of your car and start to erode parts of your exhaust.

What to Look and Listen For

You can pay attention to how your car sounds and runs to catch a problem with your muffler or exhaust system before it gets too serious. If you hear a roaring sound, vibrating metal, hissing, or rattling, you should take your car to an auto repair shop. And if you see colored smoke coming out of your exhaust or notice any rust, holes, or corrosion, it’s time to take your car to a mechanic. It’s best to stay ahead of these potential problems and get necessary exhaust repairs and muffler repairs done promptly.

Don’t Forget About Your Brakes & Tires

It’s a good idea to get winter tires put on your car so you get the best grip in bad weather. Even if you don’t do that, you should at least make sure your current tires have enough tread and keep an eye on your tire pressure. Both involve simple checks you can do at home. Both weak treads and low tire pressure will influence how well you’re able to bring your car to a stop and tire pressure will naturally drop with lower temperatures.

It’s also a good idea to keep brake repair services on your checklist this time of year. You want to be sure your brakes won’t give out in the middle of a snow storm. Winter weather already requires drivers to be more alert on the road, but if you don’t have properly functioning brakes, you’re likely to run into trouble when bad weather hits. This also goes for brake lights and headlights, as they can sometimes be the only visible part of your car in traffic during a snowstorm.

Service Your Battery

Winter is hard on car batteries. As your car’s battery ages, it is increasingly likely to freeze in cold temperatures. With the harsh winters and bitter temperatures in Minnesota, even a brand new battery can freeze on some of our coldest days and nights. Your local Minnesota mechanics are happy to test your current battery and replace it if necessary so that you won’t run into problems with it in the middle of winter. It’s also a good idea to keep jumper cables in your car just in case you do run into battery troubles.

AAMCO Minnesota is Here to Help You Winterize

With thoroughly trained expert mechanics, AAMCO Minnesota is your resource to make sure your car is ready for fall and winter. If you suspect you may have a problem with your cooling system, muffler and exhaust system, brakes, or any other part of your car – don’t hesitate to set up an appointment to get it diagnosed. Drive with peace of mind that your car can handle any nasty weather this winter throws your way.

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