{"id":1260,"date":"2018-11-28T16:28:37","date_gmt":"2018-11-28T22:28:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.carwise.com\/blog\/?p=1260"},"modified":"2018-11-28T16:28:37","modified_gmt":"2018-11-28T22:28:37","slug":"5-simple-car-maintenance-tips-for-winter","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.carwise.com\/blog\/2018\/11\/28\/5-simple-car-maintenance-tips-for-winter\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Simple Car Maintenance Tips for Winter"},"content":{"rendered":"

Most drivers across the U.S. will face challenging wintertime driving conditions, including extreme cold, snow and ice. As a result, their cars need to be up to the challenge, especially with lengthy Holiday road trips just around the corner. Making sure that your vehicle is \u201cwinter-ready\u201d only takes a few minutes, and can be a difference maker if you get caught in a nasty blizzard, or your car sits outside overnight in the bitter cold. To help ensure that you arrive at your destination safely, check off these 5 simple winter car maintenance tips first. <\/span><\/p>\n

Antifreeze<\/b><\/h3>\n

Also known as your engine\u2019s summertime \u201ccoolant\u201d, the antifreeze in most newer cars is designed to last up to 5 years or 150K miles, so consult your owner\u2019s manual for details. But if you drive an older vehicle that hasn\u2019t had the antifreeze serviced for years, you may want to have a \u201cflush-and-fill\u201d done at a car care shop, or dealership, to ensure the engine components don\u2019t freeze up. They will also inspect your radiator and hoses, and check the antifreeze level in your overflow reservoir.    <\/span><\/p>\n

Battery<\/b><\/h3>\n

Cold weather starts are harder on your battery than warm weather ones. That means that if your battery was giving you trouble during the summer, it\u2019s more likely to fail you when temps drop below freezing. Most good batteries last up to 5 years, but if you have doubts it\u2019s best to have someone run a voltage test on it. If it isn\u2019t holding much of a charge, replace it with a new battery before you get surprised one cold morning, or after some Holiday shopping. Your battery\u2019s terminals (+ and -) also need to be corrosion-free to ensure reliable starts. <\/span><\/p>\n

See and Be Seen<\/b><\/h3>\n

During the winter, you\u2019ll probably be spending more commuting time behind the wheel when the sun\u2019s not out. As a result, make sure that all your car\u2019s lights are in working order, especially the headlights. Other vision inhibitors, like snow and ice, also need to be addressed so that you can see other vehicles. Increase visibility by taking these precautions: <\/span><\/p>\n