Why Should You Winterize Your Car?
Winter is coming. But it's still time to enjoy the holidays! If you've been ignoring your car's maintenance, it might be time to start thinking about winterizing your vehicle. It is a great way to ensure that your car will continue to run smoothly. A little preventative maintenance can go a long way in preventing costly repairs later on down the road. There are many reasons why you should winterize your car and not just because it's cold outside. Let's look at some of the main reasons why regular car maintenance is required during the winter months:
Your engine hates the cold, but it hates freezing even more.
Cold weather can cause engine damage. Exposure to cold temperatures for extended periods makes your car run poorly. When you drive in frigid weather, the oil inside your engine becomes thicker as it thickens over time due to oxidation. It makes it harder for oil to lubricate and protect your car's parts against wear, such as bearings—which is bad news if they're susceptible to seizing up due to lack of lubrication or breakage from excess friction caused by dirt particles. To ensure your engine levels are sufficient and high-quality engine oil is used, get an auto repair service in Houston when you get the chance.
Your car's battery doesn't perform well in freezing temperatures.
If you live in a cold climate, you know that batteries don't perform well at freezing temperatures. Note that your battery could be more efficient at temperatures below 32 degrees Fahrenheit and freeze in extreme cold. Moreover, if your car's battery gets too cold, it will not hold its charge as well and may even short out or malfunction completely. Keeping your car's battery charged is essential to prevent this from happening, so it doesn't run down entirely while parked over winter months.
Tires need to be ready for winter conditions.
Snowfall doesn't often happen in Houston, but it can occur. Tires should be inflated and in good condition, with proper tread and balanced tire pressure of 32psi. If your tires are not properly inflated, they're more likely to become flat during winter weather. A flat tire can cause you to lose control of your vehicle or cause damage that could lead to an accident if it happens while driving on icy roads at night or in bad weather conditions (especially snow). You should take a tire gauge with you, especially if you're traveling long distances in the frigid winter weather.
Most importantly, you must ensure your tires are ready for heavy snow. Your car can avoid snow buildup using tires with a deeper tread depth. It allows your tires to handle snow effectively without compromising your car's drivability.
Regular windshield wipers won't cut it.
If you have a car with regular windshield wipers, you'll need to replace them with winter wipers. Regular windshield wipers are designed to scrape ice and snow off the windshield, but they can only do so much. Winter wiper blades are made of different materials and have thicker rubber on the edges that helps resist heat damage when scraping against your windshield. It makes them more effective at removing ice and snow from your car's windshield than the standard-issue wiper blades—but they're also more expensive than the standard models. Thus, it's best to invest in winter wiper blades to maintain your car's drivability and safety.
Taking care of your car will save you stress in the long run.
You'll also save money on repairs. If you've neglected to winterize your car, you'll have some expensive repairs regarding damaged parts and accidents down the road. The main benefit of car maintenance is that you'll be able to drive safely. Remember that winter is fast approaching! If you have issues with your car, get a European car repair in Houston immediately before they worsen during the winter season.
"Ready" is the best remedy.
Remember, winter is not a time to be lazy. If you're taking care of your car and preparing it for the cold weather ahead, you could avoid having a bad experience. As with all things, prevention is always better than cure! So don't worry about this being too much work; take care of it once every few years so that it doesn't become an issue when the temperatures start dropping. If you're looking for an excellent place to start, the experts at your local auto repair shop can help. They can give you advice on how to prepare your car for winter and help keep it running smoothly during those cold months ahead. Contact our Service Department at (713) 266-2690 or
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