Make Sure You Include These 3 Tips On Your Car's Winter Checklist
Posted on: 5 October 2015
As the weather begins to cool, thoughts of comfortable hoodies and pumpkin patches will likely enter your mind. But if you are a car owner, fall should also be the season that you make it a point to prepare your vehicle for the ugly weather ahead. If you're not sure where to begin, most major car dealerships like your local Toyota dealer will offer some kind of "winter-ready" service package to help take care of the essentials. Here are three things you should make sure get checked off your maintenance list before winter arrives.
Even If Not Switching to Winter Tires, You Should Still Check Your Tread
An obvious maintenance task many car owners take care of before winter arrives is switching out the tires on their vehicle for winter versions. But If you live somewhere where it gets a bit cold in the winter but there is not a ton of snowfall, you may decide that it's not worth buying brand new winter tires this year. With that said, you should still have your local dealer check your tread. You don't have to get a full set of winter tires unless you think you need them, but you want whatever tires you do have to be fully ready for the day that it does get wet and slippery out on the roads.
Remove Corrosion from the Battery
Cold weather can wreak havoc on your vehicle even when it's not running. The winter season can often lead to situations where your vehicle's battery is not starting properly. You should get your battery checked by a professional every fall and switch it out if needed. Even if the battery still has good life in it, you should also take care to get it the battery terminals and cables cleaned. Any corrosion buildup will make it even more difficult to start the car. Corrosion can be removed by most car owners with a simple solution of baking soda and water and a toothbrush. But if you really want to make sure you get all of it, take your vehicle to a professional.
Replace the Air Filter
The air filter is a car part that sometimes gets overlooked by many drivers. But winter is the one season of the year that you want to make sure it is ready to go. Your vehicle may be sucking in lots of dirt and salt off the ice-covered roads, and you will need a filter that is capable of handling the job.
Fall is the perfect time to make sure your vehicle is ready for the inclement weather ahead. Switching to winter tires may be obvious depending on where you live, but even if this is not a priority, you should still get your tread on all tires checked by a professional. Other key spots that might get overlooked include the health of your vehicle's battery and a clean air filter. Take your vehicle into an authorized Toyota dealer or other top brand service shop today for more information.
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