Weatherize Your Wheels: Automotive Work That Should Be Done Before Winter
Posted on: 15 August 2016
Get your vehicle ready for winter with a few simple tips. Talk to your mechanic or auto-body technician and make an appointment to weatherize your car or truck, and be ready for whatever winter weather comes your way!
Some automotive maintenance and repairs to make before winter include the following.
Take care of the rust. If you have any chips or cracks on your vehicle's paint, get them fixed before winter hits. The salt used on the roadways during the winter can make the damage worse and cause the rusted areas to grow. Sealing the car's surface with a fresh paint job is also an effective way to ensure road salt doesn't cause your vehicle to deteriorate during the cold weather.
Flush the radiator. Before winter, take your vehicle in to have the radiator flushed out. If doing this yourself, be sure the engine is completely cooled before removing the radiator cap. Fill up with antifreeze to protect and preserve your engine during the chilly months ahead.
Replace your windshield-wiper blades. To ensure you have good visibility during winter storms and precipitation, replace your windshield-wiper blades before the snow flies. Opt for rubber blades, which are effective at removing the build-up of snow and ice during the winter. Fill the windshield-wiper container with fluid that contains an antifreeze, which is designed to prevent things from solidifying during cold weather.
Have your exhaust system examined. Prevent potentially toxic fumes from jeopardizing your well-being this winter by having an auto-body expert examine your exhaust system. Since it is less likely that you are opening your windows wide during winter driving, the risk of carbon-monoxide poisoning is increased, and this gas can be lethal. While your mechanic has your car on the lift, ask them to inspect the floor of your vehicle for any small holes that could also let in these dangerous fumes.
Check your lights. Check your lights for any burned-out bulbs or clouding, which could impact your visibility during inclement-weather driving. You can do this yourself using a DIY kit, which you can get from most automotive-parts distributors.
Pick up some gas-line deicer. Pick up a couple of bottles of gas-line deicer and add one to your gas tank after your next fill-up. This will help to evaporate any moisture that could accumulate in your gas tank, freeze, and cause mechanical problems.
Feel a sense of security driving this winter knowing that you have weatherized your vehicle. Use these tips to ensure that you are ready for whatever weather comes your way and to help get you where you are going safely. Talk to a professional such as Wasatch Body Shop, Inc. for more ideas about what you can do to prepare your car for winter.
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