Winter car maintenance
As we once again find ourselves entering the “Winter Wonderland” that is the next few months, there are a few things you can do to help your vehicle get through without a breakdown. Here’s what to look for now before it really gets cold:
1) Have your battery and charging system checked out. Batteries usually don’t give you a warning and ALWAYS at the most inconvenient time! If your battery has at least two years of age, it’s a good idea to have it checked now. Also, a weak battery can put a strain on your alternator and charging system. That’s when the REAL costs come on!
2) Tires are always a concern for winter. Especially when you’re sliding in the snow or slush as the curb you casually noticed before is about to become really familiar. Tread and tire pressure (as well as driving responsibly) can help you avoid the cost of suspension and rim work. You will be surprised on how much Rims cost nowadays! Whoa!
3) Lights and wipers: Now that the darkness is here for roughly 13+ hours a day, your lights will be used on a longer basis. Trust me, you WANT to be seen! Even a little marker bulb can make a big difference on whether somebody else can see you or not. If they have bad tires (see #2) they may skip the curb and slide into you! WIPERS are not Ice Scrapers!!! You need your wipers to absolutely clear your windshield and scratched up blades will only streak. And the newer designs of blades are more expensive so do yourself a favor and clear your windshield before you turn on your wipers.
These are just a few things to look at for safe winter driving. To help you out, AAA has a great checkout list that we follow FREE of charge at Fletcher’s Garage! Give us a call to set up an appointment at 215-295-4931. Happy Holidays to all!
PHOTO CAP: Stay safe this winter