We want to remind our customers of issues that can happen with the winter season in regards to vehicles. The Winter can bring different elements into play while driving. The cold temperatures, black ice, and inclement weather are all problems that can be dangerous to drive in. Check out our 5 top recommend services for winter driving!
The 5 Services
There are 5 services that are the most important to us to share moving into the winter season.
- Tires
- Brakes
- Battery
- Wipers
- Headlights
Tires
It is very important to have the best tread possible going into the winter season of snow and ice. Low temperatures bring ice and snow, which means slick roads. Having bald tires is going to make for a very dangerous situations when driving. To self-check the tires, all you need is a penny. Place the penny in-between the treads on the tire with Lincoln’s head pointing towards the ground. If more than 2/3rds of the Lincoln’s head is showing, it is time for new tires.
Our service department sells tires, so even if you’re unsure about your tire situation after the test, we can check them out for you! Snow tires on the your vehicle will make a drastic difference for the upcoming winter driving season!
Brakes
Brakes are just as important no matter what season it is. In the winter they become more important. It is not just the brakes themselves but even the ABS (Automatic Braking System). How should you check to make sure the brakes on a vehicle are good? The first sign would be hearing or feeling bad brakes. Obviously, if there is an unusual sound coming from the vehicle while braking you should get it checked out.
When they squeak that means there could be moisture on the pads which is harmless. If it is a constant squeak it could be a foreign object such as, rocks, twigs, and other debris. The Service Department can also help you with any potential brake problems!
Batteries in Winter Driving
The cold weather will put a vehicles battery to the test. As it gets colder, the battery in a car becomes less and less powerful. The battery can take a 30-60% loss of power due to the extreme freezing conditions. This is important when the temperature drops below 20 degrees. A tip for the winter time is to make sure that there is a battery charger/jump starting cables in the trunk of the vehicle! It also would be a good idea to put food and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency. Yes, that is right! We also can help you with replacing, charging, or jumping your vehicles battery!
Wipers in Winter Driving
Windshield wipers are important because, well, if you can’t see while driving, that’s a problem. Not only is it important to have properly working windshield wipers, but the winter can do a lot of damage to them too. Everyone has had a frosted over windshield, that when they turn on the wipers it sounds like rumble strips on the windshield. Over the course of months that will slowly deteriorate them, and they will need replacing. Here is when you should consider new windshield wipers. Talk with our part department to get you some new wipers for your vehicle!
Headlights During Winter Driving
The new LED headlights actually leave behind moisture on the lens since the heat from the lamp is warmer inside the lens then the outside chill. This could cause them to freeze over or make them foggy while driving! That goes for the older style of lightbulb. The new LED/Halogen bulbs do not get that warm, so remove any leftover precipitation to ensure that your light is not obstructed.
Contact Us & More Information
Give us a call at 641-648-4691if you have any questions or email us! Find out more information from the United States Department of Transportation.
