Winter Maintenance for Your Car

So you’ve got your brand new winter tires and you’re ready for the winter ahead – well, maybe not quite. To keep your car working at peak performance and to get it through the winter there are a couple of maintenance tasks you should perform regularly throughout the winter season as well.

Maintain your battery

Checking your battery’s condition before the winter starts is the first step to maintaining it through the winter. Because cold weather impacts your battery’s performance, it’s important to keep an eye on your battery’s fluid levels to ensure that it has enough to work properly. Keep checking it throughout the winter and if you notice any signs of weakness, have it replaced.

Replace wiper blades

Most car owners don’t replace their windshield wiper blades as regularly as they should. Even top-of-the-line wiper blades can start to be less effective after six months. It’s possible to get more use out of them by cleaning the rubber blade with paper towel and glass cleaner, but this is unsafe for the whole winter. Replace your wiper blades twice a year to get the most out of them.

Clear your windows

This should be fairly obvious, but always clear your windows before you head out on the road in your car. You should make sure your windows are totally unobstructed while driving, otherwise it’s unsafe for you and other drivers on the road. Use an ice scraper if your windshield wipers won’t quite do the trick, and run your air conditioning at a comfortable setting to keep the inside of your windshield from fogging up.

Check fluids

The fluids in your car play an important part in your vehicle’s operation, and are even more essential during the winter months. Make sure your car has enough windshield wiper fluid at all times (and that you’re using one that’s designed for cold temperatures), as well as the oil and coolant levels.

For more winter car maintenance tips, find out why you should let your car warm up during the winter from Logel’s Auto Parts in Kitchener.