199ride’s Top Eight Wisconsin Winter Car Care Tips
When the temperatures have dropped and winter weather never seems to end, your car needs to be in tip-top shape to ensure a reliable drive. Here are nine car care tips that will help keep your new or used car in good working order all winter and keep you safer on the roads.
1. Lights
Your car’s lights are always important, but they become especially vital when the sun sinks earlier in the winter. And, it’s harder for drivers to see oncoming cars when the conditions are snowy. Make sure that all of your car’s lights are working and replace any bulbs that are burnt out. Also, make sure to clear off headlights and tail lights before you drive.
2. Battery
We Wisconsinites know how frigid our winters can be. This is hard on a car’s battery. Now that we’re in the midst of winter, it’s a good time to make sure your battery is still working well. Have a volt test performed on your car’s battery to ensure you won’t be stranded when the temperatures plummet. Mechanics and many auto service providers are able to test your car's battery – and other vital mechanics, such as alternators and starters – to make sure they're up to par.
3. Gasoline Levels
When your gas level gets low, condensation can form in the empty portion of your tank. Frigid temperatures can cause this condensation to freeze, resulting in ice blocking fuel lines. You should never run the risk of driving your car on extremely low fuel levels, but it’s even more important to keep your car gassed up in winter. Keeping your tank above half full will also assure that you have enough gas to keep your car warm and running should you get stranded.
4. Tires
Traction is critical when roads are icy and slick. Make sure your car’s tires have ample tread to safely get you through the rest of the season (use the coin test from Goodyear). Some people even install winter tires, which are made to maintain traction better in cold temps.
5. Survival Kit
There are a few things you should be sure to have in case your car has trouble starting or you slide off the road.
i. Shovel, should you have to dig your car out of deep snow
ii. Windshield scraper/brush for cleaning off your windshield and lights
iii. Water and snack food, in case you are stuck for a longer period of time
iv. Boots, gloves, and a blanket to keep you warm in the event your car’s heater doesn’t work
v. Flashlight and extra batteries, should you need to look around your car or under your hood in the dark
6. Wipers
If your windshield wipers are leaving streaks and failing to completely clear your windshield, it’s time to replace them. It’s hard enough to see in rainy conditions when your wipers aren’t performing, but add in ice and snow, and your windshield could be completely covered in a short amount of time. Some brands also make special winter windshield wipers that are designed to resist wear and tear in cold temps. And, it's never a bad idea to start your car and turn on the defroster so it can warm up while you're manually scraping your windshields.
7. Wiper Fluid
Along with good windshield wipers, it’s important to check your wiper fluid levels throughout winter. This helps to clear off any pesky snow or salt that dries onto your windshield. If your windshield wiper fluid level is low, you can take your car to a mechanic to have it filled, or if you're comfortable, you can fill it yourself. Keeping an extra jug of windshield wiper fluid in your car in case of emergency wouldn't hurt, either.
8. Wash your car more often
Salt and moisture, both of which are abundant in winter weather, can cause rust to form on your car. Be sure to wash your car more often during the winter season to keep rust at bay. But, if your car lives outside, wait for day with above-freezing temperatures so your newly cleaned car won’t freeze after the wash.
Enjoy winter in a Used Car from 199ride
If you’ve reached the middle of winter and realized your car won’t withstand the rest of the season, explore Nicer, Newer™, Worry-Free cars from 199ride. Stop by one of our five convenient Wisconsin car dealerships in Green Bay, Appleton, Wausau, Antigo or La Crosse and check out our extensive used car inventory to find the perfect car, truck, van, or SUV for all your winter driving.