Seriously, to answer this question like a true lady, I will say YES that’s what I heard, so off to the store I go for milk, eggs and firewood. As for the auto shop visit let me explain what you need to know and why…
Today’s cars are more electronic than mechanical. This means that they do not require the specific winterizing manufacturers recommended 20 years ago. Today’s approach should be more of a year-long maintenance mentality rather than a seasonal one.
This doesn’t mean you don’t have to do anything to prepare your car for the frigid winter months. But you don’t have to do an entire auto-overhaul. To find out what type of seasonal prep you car needs, grab your handy-dandy OMV (yep, that dreaded Owner’s Manual for your Vehicle). I know it’s not as juicy a read as “50 Shades of Grey”, but like “50 Shades,” it does have some good tips.
One of the best tips you can get from your OMV is the suggested maintenance schedule. Whether it’s every 3,000, 5,000 or 7,000 miles, get your car serviced on schedule. If you are the original owner of the car and have stuck to this schedule better than a fad diet, you might not have to do anything before winter. But if your dedication to car maintenance is less than perfect, or if you are just a little OCD and want to cover all your bases, here is a quick winter checklist:
· Check your battery – Don’t wait until it’s ten below and snowing like crazy to find yourself stuck with a dead battery. If you have a 5 year battery, be prepared to replace it at 5 years!
· Check your tires – Check for splitting, side-wall damage, cracking and, using a tire gauge, not your foot, check the air pressure for proper inflation.
· Check your anti-freeze – Your OMV will tell you if you need to flush the anti-freeze every 2 years or every 10. Regardless, check the strength, condition and the fluid level.
· Check your wiper blades – Snow, salt and sand can put your wiper blades into overdrive. Regular blades are good, but winter blades are even better because they reduce ice build-up in the blade frame. All blades should be replaced every six months or when they leave annoying streaks across your windshield.
· Check your washer fluid – Fill your washer fluid to the top and always keep a bottle in your trunk. I don’t suggest using the orange stuff either – i’ve had an experience where it stains your paint, your hands and everything else it touches.
· Wax your car – Wax in the winter? You bet! In the same way sunscreen protects you from UV rays, wax protects your car from the harsh winter elements. Wax on!Wash off the salt – Removing the salt residue will prevent premature rusting.
None of these tips really qualify as old school “winterizing,” but who expected another winter storm?? Think of it more like modern-day conditioning for your car in the winter. Check our womenautoknowdirectory.flywheelsites.com Auto Shop Directory for a pledged auto shop that will keep your ride running great throughout the year, the less catching-up you’ll have to when spring rolls around.
Mechanically yours,
Audra