Prep For Winter With These Four Services

Winter is right around the corner, and that means that the roads are going to get icy and rain and snow are going to start falling more and more. If you aren’t prepared for the change in weather, you could find yourself stranded on the side of the road or even the victim of an accident that could have easily been avoided. If you want to keep your vehicle running strong without costing you an arm and a leg, come into one of your local Dobbs Tire & Auto Centers today. Our expert staff will help you get your automotive maintenances taken care of and get you back on the road as soon as possible.

Heater Services & Repair

With the cold weather upon us, you can easily save yourself some cold drives into work by getting your heater serviced and, if necessary, repaired. It may sound counterintuitive, but your car’s heater will not function properly unless you have the proper level of coolant in your engine. Your heater is also affected and controlled by your engine’s thermostat as well as an array of hoses, cables, and actuators. Checking each one of these systems is extremely important and will save you time and money in the long run.

Tires & Brakes

Your tires and brakes are two of the most important components of your car when it comes to winter driving safety. Make sure to check your tire pressure as the temperature drops as your tire pressure can vary wildly with temperature changes. Tire pressure drops roughly 1 pound of pressure for every 10-degree drop, so make sure that you check your pressure as the temperature shifts.

You can greatly increase your tires’ lifespan with regular rotations and tire tread checks. Shallow treads and uneven wear can shorten the life of your tires and even cause flat tires, blowouts, and accidents if left unchecked. In addition to regularly rotations and tread inspections, also make sure you check your vehicle’s brake pads, as worn pads can increase your stopping distance by 30 feet or more in bad weather.

Fluids

Your vehicle has a variety of fluids coursing through it that do everything from allowing your transmission to shift without shredding your gears to keeping your engine cool enough to run through the summer. One of your car’s most important fluids is its engine oil, which works to lubricate the inner workings of the engine.  If too much time goes by in between your vehicle’s oil changes, the engine can seize up and become inundated with sludge. It is recommended that you change your oil every 3,000 miles.  Depending on your vehicle, how frequently and far you drive, and how old your car is, you may need to change your engine oil more often.

Another crucial fluid for winter driving is antifreeze. Antifreeze mixes with the engine coolant to prevent the engine from overheating. You can simply check your antifreeze level by looking at the side of the coolant reservoir.

Battery Inspection

Last but certainly not least, you need to get your battery inspected to ensure it can still hold a charge through the cold of winter. Extreme temperatures can be detrimental to your battery’s ability to properly function. The high heat of summer can cause the liquid in the battery to evaporate. On the other hand, cold winter temperatures will cause your battery to lose some of its strength and, if your battery was damaged by the summer heat, this loss in strength will be even more noticeable. If you want to get all of your car care completed in one place, come into any of the 45 convenient local Dobbs Tire & Auto Centers stores today. Our teams of expert tire and automotive service technicians will get your vehicle “in, up, fixed – and out” and back on the road in no time at all.