Winterize Your Car for Safe Winter Driving

We all know what the winter can bring: sleet, snow, ice, and low visibility conditions that can not only make driving treacherous; they can make driving downright frightening. In order to be able to handle these winter driving conditions with the best possible advantage, it’s important that you winterize your car.

When you winterize your car, you’ll prepare the engine, brakes, wires, and more for cold winter conditions, decreasing the risk that you’ll have a mid-winter break down that could turn dangerous. Here are our tips for winterizing your car for safe winter driving:

Know What Winter Driving Is

Winter driving is when you have to drive in temperatures that are less than 20 degrees Fahrenheit. It is common for Canadian drivers to drive daily in winter driving conditions. However, just because you are accustomed to driving in tough winter conditions doesn’t mean that you can overlook the safety precautions recommended for winter driving. After all, it only takes one mistake to turn a common winter driving condition into an extremely unsafe situation.

Check On Your Car

Have a qualified mechanic (such as our mechanics) check out your car as you prepare for winter driving conditions. We’ll check the following components for safety and winterization:

• Battery
• Tires (we’re looking to see if they have the proper amount of air and tread, and that they have only minimal wear, if any at all)
• Antifreeze
• Antifreeze connectors
• Distributor
• Fuel and emission filters
• PCV valve
• Spark plugs
• Brakes
• Wires
• Hoses and fan belts

Essential Winter Driving Equipment

Even if you don’t plan to be stranded or get into trouble when you drive this winter, it’s always a good idea to prepare for the “what ifs.” Here are some of the things that we think you should definitely have in your car as you head into the winter (note: these aren’t an option):

• Spare tire, wheel wrench, and tire jack. Make sure the tire is inflated and in good condition.
• Shovel
• Jumper cables (take a refresher course on how to use them if you don’t already know)
• Tire chains
• Tow chains (especially if your vehicle can tow another vehicle)
• Bag of cat litter to help provide traction when there’s ice
• Tools, including a wrench, emergency radio, and extra batteries
• Warm clothes and blankets

Remember, winterizing your car will help you to stay safe as you take on winter driving this year. Contact Scott Kia today at www.scottkia.ca to schedule an appointment to have your car serviced for the winter. We also offer new and used cars in Red Deer, parts and financing. Come see the difference at Scott Kia today! And don’t forget about our specials on both new and used cars in Red Deer.

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When you buy a used car, it is important to maintain your investment by keeping the car in excellent working condition with regular services and maintenance. Many of the things that you need to do to car for your car are things that you can do yourself. Here are the top 8 things you should keep in mind when caring for your car yourself:

1.       Check belts. Make sure that the belts are not too flexible, worn, or cracked. The belt should give by about half an inch when you press a finger on it.

2.       Check hoses. Hoses should be solid, free from cracking, and pliable. When pinching a hose between two fingers, you should not feel any stickiness or sponginess.

3.       Keep an eye on tires. If tires begin to show signs of balding, and wear, then it’s time to replace them. Good tires will have deep grooves that make for ample traction in all conditions.

4.       Replace windshield wipers. Depending on how much ice you get on your car, you may need to replace your windshield wipers more frequently. The blade should be solid and free from cracks or tears.

5.       Check lights. Lights should be working and give off the same illumination at all times. Check your headlights, tail lights, and fog lights about once every few months.

6.       Clean your battery. Make sure that the terminals on the battery are clean and free from debris or gunky build-up. Used cars may need new batteries within about a year or two from the date of purchase.

7.       Check your oil. You should check your oil level about every other time you fill up your car. Make sure to also change your oil frequently and at least every 3,000 miles.

8.       Keep an eye on your brake fluid. Make sure that your brake fluid canister is full and that the liquid is clear in order to ensure that your brakes will continue to work effectively in all driving conditions.

We always put our used cars through an extensive inspection in order to ensure that they are in excellent condition before we sell them to our customers. However, keep in mind that all cars, including used cars, will require normal maintenance and care.

Contact us for more information about things to look for on your used car to keep it in tip-top condition for years to come at www.scottkia.ca You can Book a service appointment on-line or browse of inventories of new or used cars and trucks.

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