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How to Prepare Your Car for the Winter Season

In order to get the best performance out of your vehicle this winter, be sure to prepare it properly for the season. Use these tips to get started.

Winterize Your Vehicle

Before temperatures reach their lowest lows, be sure your car is ready to take them on. Preparing your car for the winter cold is essential if you want to get the best performance out of it while also keeping it in top shape. Use these tips to winterize your vehicle this season.

Prepare Your Tires for the Cold

Your vehicle's tires will definitely feel the effects of the winter temperatures. As things get colder, your tires will start to lose pressure. This isn't uncommon, so be sure to check your tires' air pressure regularly. When necessary, make the proper adjustments to keep them at their ideal air pressure. Remember that driving on tires that are ;under inflated ;can reduce your traction which is especially dangerous on the wet and slick winter roads. Don't forget to also check on your spare tire so that you're sure it's ready for use if needed.

Top off Your Antifreeze

Coolant, also known as antifreeze, is used to keep temperatures under the hood at reasonable levels. During the winter, however, your antifreeze performs another function which is just as important. Subzero temperatures can cause water in your cooling system to freeze. This can lead to cracks in various parts of your cooling system. We probably don't have to tell you that this is bad news. To prevent this from happening, be sure you're using the proper blend of water and antifreeze and be sure you have plenty in the radiator.

Replace Your Windshield Wiper Fluid

Windshield wiper fluid may not seem all that important, but you may find that you need it this season. This fluid will be essential while traveling through a storm or through wet roads. Other drivers ;may splash your car with dirty water, reducing your visibility. Your windshield wiper fluid will help you clean your windshield, keeping you safe on the road. As you top off your windshield wiper fluid, take a moment to inspect your wiper blades. If these are old, dry, or brittle, replace them with a new set that will actually wipe water and other debris away.

Get a Synthetic Oil Change

To keep your engine protected in the cold, be sure to get a synthetic oil change. If you regularly use conventional ;oil, consider making the switch to a synthetic oil and reap the rewards it offers during the winter. Conventional oil will become thick and sluggish as temperatures drop. This can inhibit its ability to flow and therefore won't keep your engine's parts coated and protected. Unlike conventional oil, synthetic oil can hold onto its fluidity even when temperatures reach their lowest of the season. This means that it will be able to keep your engine protected from wear even on cold starts.

Check out ;AMSOIL's ;full range of synthetic oils here!

Before getting your next oil change, consider making it a ;synthetic oil in Austin. ;Contact ;Syntheticstx ;at ;(254) 366-7789 ;for the personalized attention you need. You can check out all of their products in their ;online shop.

Get Your Heater Serviced

If you haven't gotten your heater serviced in some time, now is the perfect moment to get it done. Not only will your heater help you stay warm during your daily commute, it can also keep you from freezing if you get stuck on the road. Another reason why getting your heater serviced is so important it's ;because ;it can ensure that your defroster is working properly. Without your defroster, your visibility can suffer under certain conditions. Avoid losing sight of the road and get your heater serviced as soon as you can.

Test Your Battery's Voltage

Batteries may suffer more strain during the winter because of the freezing temperatures. Since most batteries last three to five years, replace yours if it's surpassed this. If you're not sure how old your battery is, have your mechanic perform a volt test. This can let you know how much life it has left in it.

Carry an Emergency Kit

Slippery roads, ;snow storms, and other seasonal conditions can cause you to get stuck on the side of the road. For this reason, it's important that you carry an emergency kit in your car ;through the season. Carry extra fluids just in case you need to top them off while in the middle of your commute. It's also important that you carry a shovel, flashlights, extra batteries, a ;cellphone ;charger, a blanket, boots, and some water. These items can all come in handy if you're forced to wait a while for help to arrive.

Wash Your Car Regularly

Finally, ;be sure to regularly wash your car ;in order to prevent corrosion. Snow, rain, leaves, and other debris that can pile up on your car overnight should be removed daily in order to prevent damage to your paint. If you drive through snow, you are also likely driving through road salt. While this substance is great for clearing the road, it can also be extremely corrosive. When you wash your car, be sure to pay extra attention to the undercarriage where road salt can have its worst effects. Don't forget to wax your car in order to give it an extra layer of protection from the elements.

Get a Synthetic Oil Change in Austin, TX

To keep your engine well protected this winter, be sure to give your car a ;synthetic oil change in Austin. ;Contact ;Syntheticstx ;at ;(254) 366-7789 ;to get product recommendations, like their ;Signature Series 0W-20 Synthetic Motor Oil ;which can make cold starts easier.