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You know that winters here in Missouri can get pretty tough, and your vehicle needs all the help it can get to get through winter safely. That includes preventive maintenance for the winter months and overall winter preparedness! Here’s a quick rundown:

-Tires: Make sure your tires have plenty of tread depth. You may want to consider a switch to winter tires since all-season tires don’t really fare well in the snow. Make sure your inflation level is good, as well, and remember to check inflation when the tires are warmer; cold tires will read a bit lower.

-Cooling system: Have your coolant checked by a technician, using a hygrometer to check for specific gravity. If it’s too worn out or contaminated, have the cooling system flushed and refilled. Remember that your heater and defroster work off the cooling system and a corroded heater core or radiator can result in compromised heating efficiency.

-Make sure your headlights, taillights, and wipers are in good shape, and that the windshield washer fluid reservoir is full.

-Check the battery’s condition and reserve cranking power. Sub-freezing weather will have a real effect on the chemical reaction that allows a battery to store and deliver electricity.

-Have your oil changed. If you have ever considered a switch to synthetic oil, this would be the time to do it. The engine’s most crucial moments are at startup; it’s essential that oil flows quickly to the camshaft, cam bearings and valvetrain components in the engine’s upper end. Synthetic oil is much less likely to become thick and viscous at low temperatures and can make it to the engine’s upper components within the first second or two after startup.

Have a trouble kit in your car! The trouble kit should include:

-Flashlight

-Charged-up cell phone, or a power bank

-Protein-rich snacks

-Gloves, cap, sweater

-Tow rope

-Blanket

-Sand or kitty litter for traction should you get stuck

-Scraper and brush

Is your car ready for the rigors of winter weather? Make an appointment with us at Master Auto Repair and let’s make sure!