How to Prepare Your Car for Winter

How To Prepare Your Car For Winter

As winter approaches, we make several changes to prepare ourselves for the cold. It’s likely that you’ve already pulled out your winter boots, sweaters, and scarves to keep yourself warm. You might also take preventive measures to avoid plumbing and insulation problems at your home. Similarly, it is important to prepare your car to prevent damage due to lower temperatures! Not only is it crucial to prevent your car from potential weather damage, but it can also keep you safe while you drive during winter storms. Prepare your car for winter to prevent accidents and breakdowns while saving some money and time using these tips!

Maintain Tire Pressure 

The drop in temperature can have an affect on the air pressure of your tires. Once the temperature falls below 32 degrees, tires tend to deflate. A decrease in tire pressure can damage your tires and decrease the miles per gallon you’ll get while driving. Low tire pressure can also cause you to lose control of your car, especially if the roads are slippery or layered with snow. For these reasons, it’s important that you check for improper tire pressure on a weekly basis throughout the winter season. 

Inspect Your Car Battery 

During the winter months, cars’ battery capacity tends to deplete. The cold weather puts a strain on the batteries, which often causes car batteries to die during winter. Check your car battery terminals for any corrosion or damage when the season starts. This will allow you to replace any parts or repair any damage so you can prevent car breakdowns. It is preferable if you hire a specialist to inspect the battery cables and fluids!

Keep Your Gas Tank Filled 

Leaving empty space in the gas tank can result in moisture buildup due to low temperatures. This moisture in the gas tank can dilute the fuel, resulting in unnecessary strain on parts of the car, such as pumps. This can also turn into a bigger problem if the moisture freezes in the gas tank. To prevent your car from suffering damage caused by moisture build-up, keep the gas tank as full as possible. The more empty space you leave in the gas tank for long periods of time, the greater the risk. Ideally, fuel levels shouldn’t go below half of the tank’s capacity. 

Contact German AutoSport!

If you have any questions about preparing your vehicle for the winter or are in need of maintenance or repair in Massachusetts, please don’t hesitate to contact us! Give us a call at (978) 388-1288 or contact us here for more information!