Prepare Your Car for Winter with Essential Maintenance

Even in an area with warm weather like Ringgold, Georgia, occasional snow, ice, or sleet could lead to dangerous conditions and accidents. Cold weather can cause inconvenient malfunctions as well. To prepare your vehicle for winter and keep it in great condition, visit Mtn. View Hyundai for these essential maintenance tasks.

Battery Check and Care

In cold weather, car batteries can't produce as much electricity as they would at warmer temperatures. This means your battery should be in excellent condition to prevent problems while starting your engine. Inspection and care are important.

Inspection and Testing

Mtn. View Hyundai can inspect and test your battery to help you make sure you can start your car on a cold morning or evening. Battery load testing measures the amount of electricity your battery can provide.

Cleaning

Battery cables and terminals can become corroded over time, especially after condensation in cold weather. If needed, you can clean your battery with a battery cleaning tool or wire brush. You can also get help from a professional. A battery terminal protectant spray can help you prevent future corrosion.

Antifreeze and Cooling System

Antifreeze is part of your vehicle's cooling system. It keeps engine coolant from freezing and allowing overheating in cold weather. It also raises the boiling point of coolant, letting it absorb more heat, and prevents rust and other types of corrosion.

Checking Antifreeze Levels

You can check antifreeze and coolant levels by opening the hood and looking for a plastic container near the radiator. If the fluid level is below the "low" mark on the container, refill it or get help from a professional as soon as possible. Some antifreeze is already mixed with coolant, and other types require mixing before you add it to your vehicle.

System Flush and Fill

Antifreeze can become less effective over time, and your car's cooling system may not have the correct ratio of antifreeze, coolant, and water. You can prevent engine freezing and damage from these issues by having the cooling system flushed and refilled with fresh chemicals.

Tire Inspection and Maintenance

Taking care of your tires is especially important in winter, when you could have to drive through ice and snow. Here are some ways to maintain your tires.

Tire Pressure

Cold weather makes air molecules move closer together and take up less space, lowering tire pressure. Low tire pressure can make vehicle handling more difficult and increase tire damage and wear. Check your tire pressure after winter starts, and add additional air if necessary.

Tread Depth Check

If the tread on your tires is worn, you may not have adequate traction for winter driving. The tire tread should be about 4/32 of an inch. To improve safety for you and your passengers, have your tires replaced if the tread isn't at least this deep.

Winter Tires

Winter tires have special tread designs for better traction in ice and snow. They can help you drive with confidence, even in harsh conditions.

Lights and Electrical Systems

On many days in winter, sunset happens before 5 p.m. Since many people must drive in the dark, having headlights and taillights that work well is important. If any lights stop working or become dim, get them checked by a professional. It's also a good idea to have electrical connections inspected. That way, you can have any malfunctions repaired and prevent future issues with your lights or battery.

Oil and Fluids Check

When you need to change your oil, consider a product designed for winter. Synthetic engine oil with lower viscosity can coat components more smoothly in cold weather. It can also increase fuel efficiency and make starting at low temperatures faster and easier. Checking brake fluid, power steering fluid, and transmission fluid can help you prevent issues before winter as well.

To make driving in winter easier, improve your safety, and prevent costly problems, visit the service department at Mtn. View Hyundai. We're open from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays and from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays.