Preparing Your Car for Winter
When winter comes around the corner, it's essential to get your Chevy vehicle prepped for the colder weather. Our dealership here in New London, CT, has plenty of advice on car winter preparation that we want to share with you today. Plus, our service team is here anytime you need questions answered, parts replaced or serviced, or to come explore our new and pre-owned local inventory. If you are worried about car winter prep for your Chevy, look no further!
Why Winter Preparation Matters
Getting your car prepared for winter is crucial because, with low temperatures, this can mean less driving, more idle time in the cold, and potentially freezing conditions for your car, truck, or SUV. Some things to remember include battery checks, fluids, tires, alignment, and the general condition of the outside and underneath of your Chevrolet, as winter can often make a small problem much more serious.
Winter weather can trigger issues such as a depleted battery, frozen fluids, difficult driving conditions, and changes in tire tread and pressure.
Essential Maintenance Checks
There are some essential car winter preparation steps we want to remind you to take as a Chevy owner. These can include battery tests and replacements before temperatures drop, electrical connection checks, tire and traction assessments, fluid and antifreeze checks, engine maintenance and prep, and attention to your windshield wipers.
Battery and Electrical System
The battery and electrical system of your Chevrolet will be impacted during the winter months. Cold temperatures drastically reduce battery power, which can affect your car's starting and running. Have the battery tested and ensure connections are clean before winter arrives.
Tires and Traction
You need your tires to be in great shape for the winter season. We recommend inspecting tire tread and pressure before the cold weather kicks in, plus consider winter tires if you plan to travel often in snowy conditions. Safety is a priority.
Choosing the Right Winter Tires
If you decide on winter tires, there are things to remember. First, only tires with the three-peak mountain snowflake symbol (3PMSF) meet the required severe snow traction standards. Next, you want your winter tires to be studless "ice-and-snow" tires for maximum flexibility and grip, or studded tires for extreme, consistent ice. There is a difference.
Checking Tire Pressure and Tread Depth
The next car winter preparation step is to check tire pressure and tread depth before the season starts. The recommended tread depth for winter is a minimum of 5/32" to 6/32" for safe traction in snow and ice, with new tires typically starting at 10/32" to 11/32." Our team at Colonial Chevrolet is happy to help you find winter tires if you need further guidance.
Fluids and Antifreeze
The next winter preparation step for your Chevy vehicle is checking your fluids and antifreeze. This can range from changing the oil formula for your climate to simply adding more oil to your car, as well as antifreeze to prevent malfunction during a freezing day on the road. Don't forget fluids, they're important!
Engine Oil and Transmission Fluid
Engine oil keeps your car lubricated year-round, so winter prep for it is super important. Usually, the oil in your car should be at the correct level before the colder months kick in, assuming your maintenance is up to date. If not, you need to schedule an appointment with a certified Chevy technician to have your levels refreshed. Transmission fluid will be just as crucial, especially because it must transmit engine power to the wheels of your car, truck, or SUV as you drive.
Windshield Washer Fluid
Although this might come as a surprise to some Chevy owners, windshield wiper fluid and blade quality are essential steps in prepping your vehicle for the upcoming winter season. Some things to get done before the weather gets bad include getting winter-grade washer fluid for your vehicle and replacing worn-out wiper blades.
Coolant and Antifreeze Levels
As winter sets in, you want to make sure your Chevy has the correct coolant and antifreeze levels and concentrations. For example, a 50/50 mixture of coolant/antifreeze and distilled water is standard, but in extremely cold climates, a 60% coolant and 40% water mix can be used for better protection.
Visibility and Lighting
Another thing to be very clear about during car winter preparation is your car's lighting and visibility. If you have dim bulbs, replace them before you drive in a snowstorm. The same goes for wipers that need to be replaced. Visibility can mean preventing an accident, so this is a priority for your safety and others'.
Wiper Blades and Defrosters
Winter weather can be brutal, and without properly working wiper blades and defrosters, you might be unable to drive safely. Because of this, we want you to make sure all blades and defrosting agents on your car are working well before the snow starts falling.
Headlights and Taillights
Something else to keep in mind is your headlights and taillights when preparing your Chevy for the winter season. According to the Department of Transportation, over 20% of vehicle crashes, totaling over 1.2 million annually in the U.S., are directly related to adverse weather conditions, including snow. Better visibility is key to safe driving.
Emergency Kit Essentials
Emergencies can happen during winter, and when they do, you want to be as ready for them as you can. Many Chevy owners will pack an emergency kit for their cars, including essentials like blankets, water, snacks, a flashlight, and things like jumper cables. A medical kit might also be important if someone becomes injured in the vehicle.
What to Keep in Your Vehicle
You want to have enough warmth, fluids, food, light, and power in the event of a winter emergency. Keep a first aid kit as well to help with an injured driver or passenger, which should be a year-round practice. Blankets, water, dried goods, flashlights, jumper cables, chargers, and even a radio could be helpful if you get into trouble and cannot get immediate help.
Heating and Climate Control System
Another part of your car's winter preparation is making sure your heating and climate control system is working properly. Chevy owners usually come to see us for seasonal maintenance, making sure their heater is working before they really need it. Don't get stuck in freezing weather only to find your heater is blowing cold air. Call Colonial Chevrolet!
Exterior Protection
The outside of your car, truck, or SUV is your first line of defense through the colder season, so making sure it is structurally ready for snow, ice, and freezing temperatures is a good idea. Our technicians here in New London can walk you through an inspection of your car's exterior, plus we can get you started with washing, decontaminating, and applying a durable wax or sealant to protect against salt and rust.
Wash and Wax
As we mentioned above, a wash and wax is ideal before winter, especially to help protect your vehicle's exterior finish. Before the first freeze, wash and wax the car to create a barrier against snow, ice, and salt, which can ensure your paint job doesn't take a beating through the coldest time of the year.
Undercarriage Treatment
Just because you cannot see the underside of your Chevy doesn't mean it shouldn't get attention during your winter preparation. A winter undercarriage treatment usually involves applying protective, oil-based, or rubberized coatings beneath your vehicle to prevent damage from snow, ice, salt, and slush. It is just as important as protecting your paint, if not more crucial.
FAQs
In this next section, we want to answer some of the frequently asked questions our dealership here in New London, CT, gets about the car winter preparation process.
What Is the 7/7 Rule for Winter Tires?
The 7/7 rule for winter tires states that drivers should consider adding winter-specific tires if the weather consistently stays at or below 7 degrees Celsius (45 degrees Fahrenheit) for more than 7 consecutive days in the late autumn/early winter. On the flip side, if you have seven days with temperatures above 7 degrees Celsius (45 degrees Fahrenheit), you can switch back to your tires in the early spring.
Why Should You Fill Your Gas Tank Before a Snow Storm?
You want to fill your gas tank before a snowstorm to prevent a fuel line freeze-up. This can save you a trip to the dealership and prevent damage to your system, and it's a good practice when prepping your Chevrolet for a winter storm or season.
Maintaining at least a half-full tank reduces airspace, preventing moisture condensation that can freeze in fuel lines.
Get Your Chevy Serviced at Colonial Chevrolet
Our friendly experts here at Colonial Chevrolet want to help with your car winter preparation as soon as today, and we're located right in New London, CT. Whether you have tires that need to be replaced, low engine fluids, worn wipers, need antifreeze or wiper fluid, or anything else needing attention, we're the perfect team for the job.