Just as we pull out our scarves and fleece jackets when the seasons change, our cars also need to be prepared for falling temperatures. Here in New Mexico, when the leaves on the cottonwoods turn yellow, that’s your sign it’s time to bring your vehicle in to Master Tech Auto Repair to be winterized. Here’s what Ari and the team recommend to keep your car (and your commute) running smoothly through the winter months:
How’s Your Battery?
Have a professional perform a load test to check your battery fluid. If the level is below the bottom of the cap, refill with distilled water. Check cables and terminals for cracks and breaks. The terminals should fit snugly with no loose connections. If it’s been a couple of years since you’ve replaced your battery, it may be running on borrowed time. An old battery might make it through the summer months, but once cold weather sets in, your odds of ending up stranded on an icy parking lot increase considerably. If you are in need of a new battery, count on the Master Tech team to fit your car with a quality battery at the right price—and dispose of your old battery in an environmentally responsible way.
Check Engine Coolant
In addition to keeping your engine from overheating in the summer, your coolant system also protects it from corrosion all year round. For most vehicles, a winter ratio of 60 percent coolant to 40 percent water is recommended. Master Tech Auto Repair recommendations that you have your engine coolant flushed every 50k-100k miles.
Maintain Your Tires
Having a good set of snow tires will make you feel more confident driving in winter weather conditions and increase your safety on icy, snow-packed roads. Many auto and tire manufacturers recommend changing all four tires to snow tires in the winter. For added traction, studded snow tires are an option, but you will need to switch them out come spring for handling and fuel efficiency. If you choose all-season tires, they will not have the same level of traction in snow and ice of a specialized seasonal snow tire.
To protect your tire investment, the team at Master Tech Auto Repair recommends rotating and balancing your tires every 8k miles to be sure they function optimally. Ari or one of the other master technicians will be happy to road test your vehicle to determine which of these areas may need to be addressed before the weather turns snowy and cold. It is always a good idea to keep an emergency kit in your vehicle: flares, extra oil, blankets, coolant, washer fluid and a can of WD-40 to defrost frozen locks. Prepare your vehicle now while the weather is mild, and be assured of safe, stress-free driving for the severe-weather months ahead.
