Spiffy’s Car Care Tips: Cold Weather Checklist

Automotive Maintenance, Automotive Service, Car Care, Car Wash, Oil Change, Tips, Weather

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Spiffy’s Car Care Tips: Cold Weather Checklist

Everyone knows that it’s important to stay on top of your vehicle’s maintenance schedule. But, it is critical that you are eve more diligent about car care during the winter.

Dirty oil can be trouble in cold weather. Make sure that you stick close to what your vehicle’s manufacturer suggests. Also, the exterior of your car needs to be “winterized,” as well. Spifify’s Car Wash does oil changes, too! So, we can help you “kill two birds” with one car care center!

Here’s a cold weather care care check list to make sure that you are prepared for the next couple of months when Alabama weather can get very, very cold and even dangerous.

Heating, Wipers & Lights

  • Make sure heaters, defrosters and wipers work properly.
  • Consider winter wiper blades and use cold-weather washer fluid. As a general rule, wiper blades should be replaced every six months.
  • Check to see that all exterior and interior lights work and headlights are properly aimed.

Tires & Brakes

  • Check the tire tread depth and tire pressure of all tires, including the spare. If snow and ice are a problem in your area, consider special tires designed to grip slick roads.
  • During winter, tire pressure should be checked weekly.
  • Have the brakes checked. The braking system is the vehicle’s most important safety item.

Gas, Oil & Filters

  • Keep your gas tank at least half full throughout the cold weather to prevent moisture from forming in gas lines and possibly freezing.
  • Be diligent about changing the oil and filter at recommended intervals. Dirty oil can spell trouble in winter. Consider changing to “winter weight” oil if you live in a cold climate.
  • Check the fuel, air and transmission filters at the same time.

System Checks – Charging, Cooling & Exhaust

  • Have the battery and charging system checked, as cold weather is hard on batteries.
  • Clean, flush and put new antifreeze in the cooling system. As a rule of thumb, this should be done every two years.
  • Have the exhaust system checked for carbon monoxide leaks, which can be especially dangerous during cold weather driving when windows are closed.

Pack the Essentials

  • Make sure that your ice scraper and snow brush are accessible and ready to use.
  • Stock an emergency kit with jumper cables, a flashlight, blankets, extra clothes, bottled water, nonperishable food and a first aid kit with any needed medication.

For more information about Winter Car Care contact Spiffy’s Car Wash. Or, even better…just come on by to see us! And, to see more about the Car Wash, Detail or Maintenance services provided by Spiffy’s please browse the rest of our website.

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Spiffy’s is Tuscaloosa’s ONLY Full-service Car Wash. And, we do Oil Changes, too! Make sure that you ‘Like’ Spiffy’s on Facebook by clicking this link.