Preventative Maintenance

We all know that driving in the winter is sometimes dangerous. Getting stuck in a snowdrift on the way to see your family is a distinct possibility! Even if you’re an experienced winter driver and feel comfortable driving on ice or snow, it’s always a good idea to prepare for treacherous conditions and sometimes unavoidable accidents.

Preventative maintenance and tire servicing can help with that. So can having the right equipment on hand when you need it. Check out this list we’ve created of items to keep in your car this winter.

Frequently Used Items

• Ice scrapers (plastic sometimes shatters in really cold temperatures so keep a spare scraper on hand)
• Long snow brush (don’t forget to brush the snow off the roof or you risk a blinding mini avalanche)

If You Get Stuck

• A bag of sand or non-clumping cat litter for traction
• A snow shovel that folds or collapses
• Headlamp (so you’re not shoveling one-handed)

In Case of a Car Emergency

• Jumper cables
• Tire chains

Winter weather can wreak havoc on your car as colder temperatures put your engine under strain. Driving can be more dangerous with roads covered in ice or snow, so it’s important to know how you can best prep your car for this time of year.

Get a Check-Up

Before and during the winter season, one of the best things you can do to ensure your car stays healthy and winter-road ready is to perform a thorough check-up.

Tires

Tires lose one psi for every 10-degree drop in temperature. As the air gets colder, your tire pressure gets lower, and your tires won’t perform as well or could easily become damaged. Keep any eye on your tires and have them filled up with air as soon as the temperature drops to keep them in good condition throughout the winter. You might also consider snow tires for better traction during winter conditions.

Fluids

Oil, antifreeze, brake fluid, power steering fluid, and transmission fluids are all essential to keeping your car running. In

Adding salt to the road during winter is meant to help you as a driver by melting dangerous ice. Admittedly, it gives your car an extra bit of traction to assist you in navigating those slippery streets. However, other than covering your vehicle in a white film, there are a few concerns salt can bring to your car.

How Does Winter Salt Affect Your Vehicle?

When road salt dissolves in water, its chemical composition breaks down, effectively downgrading the water’s freezing point. However, as effective as winter salt is in helping clear the snow, the resultant free sodium and chlorine ions easily bind to iron molecules.

Conversely, salt accelerates the adverse effects of water on metal, making the rusting process substantially more aggressive. After you factor in other contaminants and impurities found in water, this combination speeds up the oxidation process further.

Short of moving to a warmer climate, there’s no way you can evade the salting of local roads. So, in addition to understanding how the winter salt affects your vehicle, here’s

As summer nears, make sure your ride is ready for all the adventures ahead! Spring is a great time to wash away the winter build-up and fine tune your car’s maintenance profile. With this spring maintenance checklist, your car will run at its best performance.

1. Wash Your Car

During the winter months, your car collects grime, dirt, and chemicals in the undercarriage. When you drive on treated roads, harmful chemicals can spray onto your vehicle. Left unchecked, this can cause corrosion and degradation of internal parts. To protect your car, wash away the build-up in the spring.

2. Don’t Forget to Wax

After giving your vehicle a good wash, it’s also a good idea to wax the exterior. Not only does a wax give your car shine, it also helps protect and preserve your car’s paint. Wax protects your car from weathering damage, corrosion, water spots and more.

3. Inspect Your Windshield Wiper Blades

Throughout the colder seasons, your car’s windshield wipers can become cracked and damaged. Now is a good

When the temperatures start to rise, it’s the perfect time to take a road trip or a leisurely drive. However, with warmer temperatures come potential car problems. You won’t be having much fun in the sun if your car is out of commission. Keep reading to discover some of the most common car issues you may encounter during the summer months.

1. Tire Problems

Temperatures can fluctuate rapidly in the summer, with sweltering days and chilly nights. These temperature irregularities can wreak havoc on your tires. Check each tire’s pressure at least once a week and refill them as necessary, as low tire pressure can lead to uneven tread or even a blowout.

2. Cabin Odors

If you take frequent trips to the pool or beach, don’t leave wet towels or bathing suits in your car. This can lead to bacteria and mildew build-up in your car, which creates a stinky and unsanitary environment.

3. Low Battery

Hot temperatures make your car battery work harder and can greatly reduce its lifespan and efficiency. Allow