Is Your Vehicle Ready for Winter?

As fall moves into winter, make sure your vehicle is as prepared for the cold as you are. Postle Tire Barn offers a winter prep service to make sure your car reliably gets you where you need to go all winter long. Issues that create a minor inconvenience in the summer can be dangerous during the winter months. Keep reading to find out what aspects of your vehicle need attention before the weather gets cold.

Antifreeze and Coolant

If the coolant in your vehicle is over 50% water when the temperature drops below freezing, both your cooling system and the engine can sustain major damage. The water will freeze, and when frozen water expands, the cooling ports in your engine are not able to accommodate the expansion. The result could be a cracked engine block and a very expensive repair bill, rather than the affordable option of having your coolant checked now.

Windshield Washer Fluid

Encountering winter weather on the highway while not having windshield washer fluid can be extremely dangerous. Slush, mud, and even snow kicked up from other vehicles can quickly reduce your visibility. When the road conditions are already bad, the last thing you need to worry about is a dirty windshield as well.

Battery

In the winter, being stranded in the cold by a dead battery can be serious. Ensuring your battery is healthy enough to start your car in the coldest temperatures is one of the most essential items to check before winter starts. Note that it’s always important to keep a few blankets in your car in case you are stranded without heat.

Oil

Starting your vehicle in the cold puts a lot of stress on your engine. Before the temperatures drop, it is important to have your oil and oil filter changed to ensure proper lubrication when starting your vehicle on cold days. This winterization step will help extend the life of your vehicle by reducing the wear and tear on engine components in the seconds before the oil has been disbursed throughout the block.

Tires

One of the biggest dangers in winter weather driving is lack of traction. Properly inflated tires will make your vehicle handle better, accelerate quicker, and brake faster on the slushiest and messiest roads. If you aren’t getting new tires, make sure the tires with the deepest tread are on the rear of the car to help keep your vehicle in your lane when going around turns. Additionally, your spare tire should be checked for proper inflation and condition before winter weather arrives. Getting a flat in the cold without a functional spare can spell disaster.

Brakes

An inspection of your rotors, pads, and brake fluid before winter will ensure you can stop quickly and safely while driving on slippery roads. Worn pads are a safety issue on dry summer roads, and this issue is only amplified in the winter. If your pads are worn out or brake fluid is leaking, get your brakes serviced.

We Can Help

Postle Tire Barn is here to help you and your vehicle make it through the winter months. We are a family owned, fully licensed and insured tire and automotive store, and have served the people of West Alabama for more than 40 years. Give us a call or stop by. We’re located on Jug Factory Road in Tuscaloosa behind McDonalds.

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