Car maintenance becomes even more crucial during winter. Here are some maintenance tips from DCH Academy Honda to help you avoid winter mishaps.
Regular, routine maintenance. Some drivers falsely assume that once the heat of summer has ended, there’s less of a need for routine maintenance. Cold weather can wreak havoc on a car’s engine. Make sure you stay up-to-date on your car’s maintenance. Check the vehicle’s owner’s manual and be sure to bring it into the dealer for regular tune-ups and oil changes. You’ll also want to change air, fuel, positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) system, and other filters to help your engine run more efficiently. And by the way, idling your car to “warm up” the engine often does more damage than good.
Proactive care. The winter’s nice for sitting around a warm house, cozying up to loved ones, and watching holiday reruns. You may even fool yourself into thinking you don’t need to be concerned with your vehicle’s hard starting, rough idling, stalling, or diminished power. It’ll “fix itself,” you rationalize…until it doesn’t fix itself. Get your car checked at the first sign of a problem or you might end up cozying up in the front seat of a tow truck with a complete stranger.
Winter precautions. Driving in the winter is tough enough. Driving with a dead battery is even tougher. Get your battery checked before you end up begging someone for a jump-start in a blizzard. It’s also tough driving as you shiver. Make sure the heater works. And while you’re at it, get the defroster checked because it’s really difficult to drive when you can’t see the road, which is why you may want to invest in some windshield wipers, too.
More winter precautions. Seeing the road is important. Being seen while you’re on the road is also important. Make sure your lights are functioning properly. Replace burnt-out bulbs immediately. That includes head lights, blinkers, brake lights, and any other illuminating indicator of your presence.
The exhaust system. Get the exhaust system checked. Winter driving often means driving with all the windows up for long periods. Exhaust fumes in your vehicle can be deadly. For your next tune-up, have the exhaust system inspected while on a lift. Be sure to inspect the trunk and floor boards for leaks.
Beyond car maintenance. Bringing your car in for winter maintenance should prevent common winter service mishaps, but that’s no reason to get over confident. You’d be wise to put a winter safety emergency kit in the vehicle. A kit should include extra boots, gloves, hats, and blankets. If you live in a snowy area, keep snow chains and some kitty litter in the trunk. And don’t forget a flash light, some extra batteries, and a snack.
Keep in mind that the need for maintenance increases as winter approaches. The service department at the dealership where you bought your vehicle can provide specific tips for your vehicle, in addition to the general tips here. Happy driving!
