A Guide to Winterizing Your Car or Truck: Top Car Maintenance Tips

Winters in Oklahoma tend to be windy and cold, and while some snowfall is common, the biggest concern for car owners is ensuring their vehicles can endure below-freezing weather. Fortunately, when you need auto repair or car maintenance to prepare for winter, you can schedule winterizing service at your Jeep Ram dealership. 

Winterizing a modern vehicle typically means performing basic maintenance tasks before winter begins. The best time to winterize your vehicle is in the autumn since you want to have your vehicle prepared for the first snowfall, icy rain, or freezing night.

Check Your Tires

Even if you have all-season tires on your vehicle, you may need to switch to winter tires. Winter tires perform best when the temperature falls below 45 to 40 degrees. Winter tires are designed to withstand colder air temperatures and grip slick or snowy roads more efficiently. This is because winter tires maintain their flexibility, unlike summer or all-season tires, which may become more rigid as the weather drops. 

If you choose not to switch to winter tires, you should have your regular all-season tires serviced before the winter. If your tread is low, then a mechanic may recommend buying new tires so you can maximize traction for your vehicle. 

Adjust Your Coolant Mix

Your owner’s manual will have information about the type of coolant that is best for your engine. During the winter months, your mechanic may recommend adjusting the coolant ratio in your engine to accommodate freezing temperatures. Even if your coolant mix does not need to be adjusted, topping off your coolant as part of routine maintenance before winter is a good idea.  

Check Your Engine Oil

If your vehicle has semi-synthetic or fully synthetic motor oil, it may be formulated to withstand very cold temperatures. However, even if you have a cold-weather formulated engine oil, it’s still a good idea to check your motor oil level or change your oil before winter so you don’t encounter vehicle performance issues. 

Should You Get Auto Repair at Your Jeep Ram Dealership Before Winter?

If you notice a particular problem with your engine, brakes, transmission, or other vehicle component, you should schedule service for these repairs before winter. Sometimes, repairing specific issues means the dealership will have to order parts, so visiting the dealership before the cold months is a good idea. Additionally, preparing for the winter in advance can help you avoid certain performance issues, such as an engine that won’t start in the cold. 

In general, modern vehicles don’t need extensive winterization to get through the coldest months of the year. However, there are still some basic maintenance tasks every driver should perform to prepare for the cold winter nights. Without winterizing certain vehicle components, you may face performance trouble during the coldest months of the year. Schedule service at Freedom Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram FIAT By Ed Morse today.

Tags: Car and Truck Maintenance, Cold Weather Tips, Preventative Strategies, Safety Precautions, Seasonal Automotive Care, Vehicle Winterization, Winter Driving
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