Winter Care Guide for Trucks and Cars

Vehicle maintenance is vital if you want to keep yours running smoothly throughout the year, but solid maintenance means different things during different seasons. With winter on the way, you’ll need to take care of a list of tasks to ensure that your vehicle is in top condition for winter driving. 

Keep an Eye on Tire Pressure and Condition

It can be easy to overlook, but the condition of your tires says a lot about whether you can drive safely during the winter. If your tires’ treads have been reduced considerably, it may be time to get new ones. Place a penny between your tire’s treads with Lincoln’s head top-down. If you can see the top of his head, it is time for tire replacement. If your tires bulge in odd areas or do not return to normal shape when your pressure gauge says they’re full, replace them. 

Make sure you put the right amount of air into your tires. Too little pressure will make your vehicle lose traction, while too much can cause them to burst when moving over imperfections in the road. Many cars now have tire pressure monitoring systems that take the pressure of each tire into account. Make sure you pay attention to those alerts so you know which tires need work and which can be safely left alone.

Check and Maintain Fluid Levels

If you live or work in an area with frigid winters, seriously consider searching for fluid options that are cold resistant. Certain wiper fluids are helpful in cold climates, while others are sure to freeze. Maintaining sound antifreeze fluid levels is a must if you want to make sure your vehicle doesn’t become too cold to start. Test your antifreeze levels at the beginning of the season and top them off if needed. The proper fluid type and filling level are listed in your owner’s manual. In freezing climates, even engine oil begins to freeze. 

Many synthetic and semi-synthetic oils are far more resistant to cold than the average varieties. They’ll cost a bit more, but they’re worth the price if they’ll keep your conveyance from becoming useless. If your oil seems frozen, do not attempt to start your engine repeatedly, as may be your first impulse. Starting it can do severe damage to your engine block, and repairing that will be far more costly than an oil change.

Make Sure you are Prepared for Emergencies

Some advice for all kinds of travelers, with or without vehicles, is to prepare supplies as though you expect to be stranded. None of us know what the future holds. You could be caught in a snowstorm, a snowdrift, a complete white-out, or in a position where driving is impossible due to heavy icing. When this kind of emergency comes about, having a well-stocked emergency supply kit in your vehicle can be the immediate or long-term difference between life and death. 

Your battery will only run your vehicle’s heat for so long, so make sure you pack blankets, chemical heating pads like those commonly used by hunters, and fire-starting tools. It is also wise to include heavy winter clothing with good insulating properties like coats, gloves, hats, and mittens.

Make sure you pack light sources for personal and emergency use, like flashlights, chemical road light sticks, and a flare gun. These items will alert others to your presence and need for aid and help you find your way should you have no choice but to move out on foot. Also, make sure you pack extra batteries for your flashlight and go with one that has a powerful beam. If the beam is too weak or runs out of power, it won’t be helpful to you in winter conditions. 

Of all of the items in your emergency kit, a first aid kit is among the most important. You’ll probably be tempted to go with the most affordable version, but these smaller kits often lack vital components like suture kits, epi-pens, heavier bandages, and coagulation sprays. Packing non-perishable food and drink that will last a day or two is also a wise choice.

Make Sure your Vehicle is Debris-Free

Leaves and twigs may seem inconsequential, but if they get stuck in your engine bay, they can cause water to collect, giving it a place to freeze in winter. This sort of freezing can damage your vehicle’s exterior venting systems, hoses, and cables severely, making your vehicle unusable. Make sure you clear debris from your vehicle’s exterior and engine bay whenever you notice any. That simple action could save you a stack of cash in the long run.

Equip your Vehicle with Winter Tires

Tires marked as all-season are standard on the vast majority of vehicles these days, off-road varieties aside. This name is misleading, as a tire that is a jack of all trades excels at nothing. Winter tires feature unique treads meant to maintain traction as much as possible in cold conditions, particularly with snow and ice present. It is far cheaper to get winter tires than replacing a vehicle that costs thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars when it is lost to a traction slip, so get your hands on them before winter comes.

Get a Battery that is Rated for Winter Conditions

All batteries are not created equal where winter operation is concerned. Most have more difficulty working properly during winter than in any other season, but some options are far more dependable than the standard versions. The absolute best type of battery for vehicle operation during winter is an absorbed gas mat battery. 

These batteries produce far more starting power standard flooded batteries so that the charge will cut through counter-factors more easily. In addition, these batteries use a mesh of absorbent glass and a fiberglass mat to do battery work in a solid rather than liquid state, so they aren’t going to freeze on you like liquid batteries.

All of these tips will help you find your way to driving safely and effectively during cold winter months. Keep each one in mind, and you’ll be far better off than if you had maintained your car as you do in warmer months. If you know of other helpful winter vehicle tips, please contact us and let us know so we can add them to our list. We at Rydell Chevrolet want all drivers to hit the road as safely as possible.

Tags: Chevy Tips, Chevy Trucks, GMC Tips, GMC Trucks
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