Is Your Vehicle Ready for Winter?
October is Car Care Month and as colder weather nears, AAA shares these useful tips every motorist should know about car care.
Go Back - Battery – Most car batteries have a 3–5 year service life, depending on local climate and vehicle usage patterns. At every oil change, check that the battery cables are tight and clean the terminals if corrosion build–up occurs. Have the battery and charging system tested by a trained technician. A fully charged battery in good condition is required to start an engine in cold weather. AAA members can request a visit from an AAA Mobile Battery Service technician who will test their battery and replace it on–site, if necessary.
- Tires – Inspect your tires, including the spare, more frequently in fall and winter. As the average temperature drops, so will tire pressures. Proper tire pressure levels can be found in the owner's manual or on a sticker typically located on the driver's side door jamb. Installing snow tires on all four wheels will provide the best winter traction. All–season tires work well in light–to–moderate snow conditions provided they have adequate tread depth. Replace any tire that has less than 3/32–inches of tread.
- Wiper blades/Washer fluid – Wiper blades should completely clear the glass with each swipe. Replace any blade that leaves streaks or misses spots. Consider installing winter wiper blades that wrap the blade frame in a rubber boot to reduce ice and snow buildup that can prevent good contact between the blade and the glass. Fill the windshield washer fluid reservoir with a winter cleaning solution that has antifreeze components to prevent it from freezing.
- Maintenance schedule – Every car requires routine maintenance. The best time to find a mechanic or auto repair shop is before you need one. Visit AAA.com/repair or ask a friend to help you find one in your area you can trust.
- Repair damage on your vehicle – Preventative maintenance on the body of your vehicle can prevent rust. Other things to check for are your headlight lenses to make sure they do not need to be reconditioned and that your windshield is free of chips. Both of these things will help with visibility. Also make sure to keep your vehicle clean from the magnesium chloride that they put on the roads to prevent eating into the clear coating and chrome on your vehicle. Any questions? Please let us know. Everyone at Hampden Auto Body is here to help you. Hampden Auto Body offers free estimates Monday through Friday from 7:30am to 4:30pm. We have a lifetime warranty on all our work. For more information please call us at 303-761-0677 or visit our website at www.hampdenautobody.com.