10 Ways To Winterize Your Car
Welcome to Hyundai of Louisville's 10 tips for properly winterizing your vehicle!
Driving in cold weather is challenging to both you and your car. Harsh temperatures punish your vehicle and test your ability to adapt to constantly changing road conditions. Failure to properly prepare your vehicle for winter weather could mean the difference between arriving safely at grandma's house for Christmas dinner or sliding into a ravine, wondering if your will has been updated.
Follow these simple tips from Hyundai of Louisville to keep you and your family safe this winter.
TIP #1
Always Be Prepared
The Boy Scouts have been around for over 100 years. Wanna know why? Because they're always prepared. One of the easiest and simplest things drivers can do to prepare for winter is to create (or purchase) an emergency roadside kit for your car. Most kits generally have a wide assortment of nifty items: small hand tools, an ice scraper, gloves, tape, reflectors, shark repellant, etc. Some of the higher-end kits even come with things like jumper cables, flares, and little jars of Grey Poupon. Among the more essential items you'll want to have is something to fix your flat tire (like a sealant-in-a-can and/or a portable air compressor). Other helpful items include a flashlight, extra motor oil/water/coolant, spare rags, medical supplies, and snacks ('cuz it may be a while before help arrives). Once help arrives, make sure to schedule a service appointment as soon as possible.
TIP #2
Replace Your Windshield Wipers
Refill Your Wiper Fluid
Most of us don't think about our windshield wipers until we need them. If you're like me, by the time winter rolls around your wipers look like a rabid wolverine gnawed on them. Replacing your blades is a fast, simple way to enhance visibility while riving. A good rule of thumb is to inspect/replace your wipers at least once a year. As for wiper fluid, check the levels every few days during bad weather. If you tend to use your fluid frequently, try to remember to stash an extra bottle in your trunk. As a bonus, many wiper fluid brands have de-icer built right into the formula. Just make sure you don't skimp and refill the receptacle with plain water or something similar, like glass cleaner. Water-based fluids will likely freeze on your windshield and just cause more problems.
TIP #3
Change Your Oil
While you probably know that regular oil changes are vital to maintaining your vehicle's overall health and well being, you may not realize that oil often gets funny during the winter. Not funny like your boss after a few too many eggnogs at the Christmas party. Funny as in it tends to thicken as it gets colder. If motor oil gets too thick, it won't properly lubricate your engine and could potentially damage your engine.
It is important to get your oil changed regularly and certainly before the temperature starts dropping. If you typically use 10W-30 during the warmer months, think about switching to 5W-30 during the fall or winter months. Depending on your make, model, and mileage, you may even want to switch to synthetic oil. And no, synthetic oil does not mean vegetable oil, coconut oil, or olive oil. While certainly delicious, they will not help your car.
Synthetic oil has greater viscosity and does not break down as quickly as regular motor oil. While synthetic oil can be slightly more expensive than regular, it can withstand greater swings in temperatures and is often ideal during cold winter months.
TIP #4
Maintain Proper Tire Pressure
If you recall from 8th grade science class, air contracts when it is cold and expands when it is hot. When the temperature outside drops suddenly, the air in your tires react and shrivel up like an old man in a bathtub. In fact, depending on the type of tire you have, for every 10 degree (F) drop in temperature, you can generally subtract 1 pound per square inch from your tires.
Improperly inflated tires can cause a loss of traction. Compromised traction can severely impair your ability to control your vehicle. That's why regularly checking the pressure is vital to car tire maintenance. Make sure to fill them to the factory recommended pressure limit. If you're not sure of how much pressure your tires require, contact Hyundai of Louisville's service department - or simply consult your owner's manual.
TIP #5
Test Your Battery
No doubt about it. Winter is rough on your car. From cold starts in frigid temperatures to driving through thick ice and deep snow - the harder you drive the car, the harder your car battery works. The general life expectancy of a car battery is around 3 to 5 years (although you may get lucky and stretch it further). If you're not sure of your battery's install date, it's wise to inspect it to ensure it's in proper working order. Check the cables for any fraying. Examine the contact points for any corrosion. Remember that batteries are essentially big boxes of chemicals. The chemicals inside the battery can sometimes leak. This can cause a grayish-white powder to form around the contact points. If this corrosion builds up, it can impede the transfer of the battery's electrical charge. Fortunately, you can easily remove this corrosion by lightly brushing the area with a solution of baking soda and water. If you decide to use a toothbrush, it's not a good idea to put it back in your mouth. 9 out of 10 doctors agree that battery acid is bad for your health.
That brings us to another good point. While you are inspecting the battery, it's a good idea is to keep an eye on the fluid levels. Simply uncover the hole (or holes) on the top of the battery. If you see the fluid level is below the bottom of the cap, carefully fill it with distilled water. Distilled water is preferable because spring and purified water may still have trace amounts of minerals. While you're at it, check your battery's energy level. This can be accomplished by using a handheld voltmeter (available in most auto parts stores). If the voltmeter reads 12.6V to 12.8V, your battery is fully charged. If it reads 12.2V to 12.4V, you're at half charge. If it reads below 12.4V, you should replace your battery soon.
TIP #6
Keep Your Gas Tank Filled
We all do it from time to time. Your gas gauge gets low and you try to stretch it out until the last possible moment. While this is never a good idea, it is an especially bad idea during the winter. Drastic changes in temperature can cause condensation to form on the walls of your tank. As that water collects, it drips down and gets into the gas. Since water is heavier than fuel, it sinks to the bottom. If that water finds its way into your fuel lines, it may freeze. Frozen water blocks the flow of gas to your engine. Before you can say, "Is that my wallet crying?" Your engine sputters out. Repairs to a fuel line can be costly - so don't take the chance. If you've already experienced engine or transmission problems, contact Hyundai of Louisville's service department to discuss your options. You're going to have to fill the tank eventually - so why not fill it up sooner than later?
TIP #7
Clean / Replace Your Headlights
For some reason, headlights are almost always ignored when it comes to preparing your vehicle for winter. And yet, proper headlight maintenance is fast, easy, and can dramatically improve your safety.
When examining the headlights, look for any cracks or broken pieces that may allow water (rain, ice, snow) to enter the bulb chamber. If you see a crack, it is advisable to repair or replace the casing. Headlights burn very hot when lit. If moisture hits a hot bulb, it may burn out - or worse, explode. If the bulb is already burned out, contact Hyundai of Louisville's parts department for a replacement. If you can install it yourself, the bulb should only be a few dollars. It will undoubtedly cost more if you have someone install it for you.
After replacing the bulb and ensuring that the struture is sound, carefully clean and wax the outside casing. This will deter ice and sleet from sticking to the light. While it may not sound like a big deal - in a storm, you'll be grateful for every last ray of light you can muster.
TIP #8
Maintain Your Coolant Levels
It's inevitable that, as soon as the temperature starts to drop, you will be inundated by promotions to "Flush-n-Fill" your coolant. Coolant, or "antifreeze", is the fluid that keeps your engine from overheating on hot days and freezing in the winter. It also has the added bonus of protecting against corrosion. If you decide to flush the system yourself, remember that you must be add equal parts coolant and water to the radiator -- a 50/50 mix ratio is generally advised. Your coolant ratio is very important - you don't want it to freeze...that would defeat the whole point! Likewise, during the summer, the engine can get extremely hot. If it gets too hot, you may blow a gasket (or something even worse). That means $.
The good news is that you won't have to do this very often - or ever. Most newer cars coolant that lasts as long as 5 years or 150k miles. Nonetheless, if you own an older, high mileage vehicle, you may want to check the coolant, just in case. Even if you're not real slick with measuring, rest easy: most auto parts stores (and even some gas stations) sell bottles of pre-mixed coolant and water. Just check the levels and add coolant as necessary. If you start to notice a consistent puddle of coolant under your vehicle, you may have a leak and should take it to the dealership immediately for inspection. Before you do, however, be sure to check Hyundai of Louisville's website regularly for service coupons and customer specials.
TIP #9
Keep De-Icer Handy
When the weather turns extremely cold, it is not uncommon to find your vehicle's door locks completely frozen. If this happens, be very careful. If you apply too much pressure to the key, it may break off in the lock. The simplest way to melt the ice is to heat a key with a lighter and stick it in the lock. But what if you don't have a lighter? Then try pouring hot water on the lock. But what if you're not at home? Man, you ask a lot of questions...
Perhaps the best thing to do is to keep a tube of de-icer on hand. You can usually find de-icer in auto parts stores, gas stations, truck stops, or even the automotive section of department stores. They typically come in small tubes or spray cans. The process is fairly simple: just spritz the liquid into the lock and voila! But remember: if you keep the de-icer in your car and your locks freeze, you're back to square one. If you don't relish the idea of keeping a tube of de-icer in your pocket, think about keeping a supply at home and one at work to cover your bases.
TIP #10
Have Someone To Call
People can prepare themselves for emergencies until they're blue in the face. But the reality is - everyone needs help at some point. Whether you're stranded on the highway or in your own backyard, it's important to know who to call in an emergency.
Owners of new Hyundai vehicles, for example, have 5 years of unlimited mile roadside assistance. They simply call their dedicated Hyundai Roadside Assitance number and faster than you can say "I'm so glad I bought a Hyundai!" - a tow truck arrives to render assistance. If you do not happen to own a Hyundai (!), think about investing in an emergency service such as AAA. The yearly membership fee can often be less than the cost of towing your car to the local garage. At the very least, have a list of contacts, such as friends or family members, who are willing to assist you if trouble should arise. As the temperature drops, it is imperative to keep your wits about you. Be smart, have a plan, and drive safely.
TIP #1
TIP #2
TIP #3
TIP #4 
TIP #5
TIP #6
TIP #7
TIP #8
TIP #10
No comments:
Post a Comment