Don’t get caught off guard this winter! Now’s the best time to start preparing your vehicle for colder temperatures with your auto repair shop in Las Vegas, NV. Good winter car maintenance is extremely important, even for those living in areas that don’t experience much snow or ice, like Florida or Nevada. After all, you want to be ready in the event you’re traveling and run into car trouble. Make sure your vehicle runs efficiently this season by following the winter car preparation tips provided below:
- Check the wiper blades: You don’t want your vision to be impaired, especially when driving through snow or ice. That’s why it’s important to check your wiper blades before the winter season hits. Good wiper blades usually last around a year, so try and keep up with the date that you originally bought them. For those living in colder areas, it might be a good idea to invest in winter wiper blades.
- Properly inflate your tires: Tires with low air pressure can make it hard to gain traction, which can be especially dangerous during the winter months. That’s why it’s important to routinely check the pressure in your tires as part of your go-to auto tune-ups. Usually, colder temperatures will cause your tires’ air pressure to drop a little. Find the recommended air pressure in your vehicle’s manual, then fill your tires as necessary.
- Examine the tread on your tires: Low tread on tires can also result in traction issues. You can examine the tread on your tires by looking for the tread wear bars. You can find the tread wear bars between the grooves of your tires. If the tread is level with these small, raised bars, it’s time to change your tires. You could also check your tread by doing the famous penny test. Don’t forget, if Lincoln’s head is entirely visible after placing a penny between the tread of your tires, they need replacing.
- Test the battery: Cold temperatures can negatively affect your battery. The best way to test your battery is by bringing it to a reputable local auto shop. They can tell you whether it’s almost time for a battery change or not. On average, a car battery will last three to four years, though this timeframe can vary.
- Invest in snow tires: If you live in an area that gets a lot of winter snow, it’s usually a good idea to invest in snow tires. Snow tires offer better traction, making it easier to grip the road even when there’s snow on the ground. It’s important to do your research on these tires before purchasing them. Make sure you’re buying from a reputable dealer that’s known for providing quality tires. After the winter season ends, be sure to have your winter tires switched back out.
One of the best ways of preparing your car for winter is by scheduling a tune-up with a reputable auto shop. A good tune-up will improve your car’s performance and reliability, making it more capable of handling the colder temperatures of winter. If you’re interested in scheduling a tune-up or are in need of winter car preparation and maintenance, contact us in Las Vegas, NV today.