
Getting Your Vehicle Ready For Winter
1. An engine is much more difficult to start in cold weather. Also, batteries suffer reduced capacity in cold weather. Only half the capacity is available at -22°F. Keeping the battery at full charge is the first step to ensure it can deliver enough power to start the engine. All ChargeDNA™ battery chargers are designed to do exactly that. Keep a ChargeDNA™ battery charger connected to your vehicle’s battery whenever you are not using it. Also, make sure the battery terminals and are free from corrosion and the connections are tight. If you have any doubts about the health of your battery and vehicle’s charging system, have them tested by a trained technician.
2. Inspect drive belts for cracks or fraying and replace them if necessary. Replace serpentine belts at 60,000-mile intervals regardless of appearance.
3. Inspect engine hoses. Replace any that leak, have cracks, or feel brittle or spongy. Make sure all hose clamps are tight.
4. Winter tires are the best when driving in snow or ice. Replace any tires has less than 3/32-inches of tread. Check tire pressure frequently because pressure drops as temperatures get colder.
5. Test your antifreeze with a coolant tester or test strips. Check the coolant level in the overflow tank. Make sure it is at the Cold Full line. Add a 50/50 solution of coolant and water if necessary. Some coolants are premixed, so check the bottle to see whether you need to add water.
6. Snow and ice are hard on wiper blades. Always start the season with blades that are in good condition. Replace any blade that leaves streaks or misses spots.
7. Use washer fluid that is labeled for winter use. This washer fluid antifreeze components to prevent it from freezing. Do not add antifreeze to standard washer fluid.
8. Have the brake system inspected by a certified technician. It is more difficult to stop on slippery surfaces so you want to ensure all components are in good working order.
9. Keep an emergency kit equipped for winter weather in your vehicle.