This is the time of year when summer and winter clash! It might be winter in the morning and summer by the afternoon. Why would you want to prepare for winter when summer is only a few hours away? Swinging temperatures can have a drastic affect on your vehicle’s performance and reliability. So, what does winterizing your vehicle really entail?
To “winterize” your vehicle is nothing more than preparing it for expected cold weather conditions. The climate where you live will determine the extent of preparation, but here are a few things to consider in Dripping Springs, Texas.
First, make sure all regular maintenance is up to date and any safety concerns have been repaired. There is no reason to prepare for extreme conditions if you are not ready for normal ones. Refer to your vehicle’s service guide and repair history to ensure all recommended services and safety concerns have been taken care of.
Next, you will want to have a few things checked that often fail in cold weather.
- The battery. A battery that works “fine” when it is 70 -80 degrees outside might not have enough energy to start your vehicle when it is 30 – 40 degrees.
- The heater and defroster. Are they working properly?
- The engine coolant. Check the ethyl-glycol level, this controls the freezing point. Water is the only liquid that expands when it freezes. This can cause big problems if it occurs inside the engine block.
- Engine belts and hoses. Rubber/plastic can become brittle and/or contract in the extreme cold, especially if is a few years old.
- Tires. Check the integrity, tread depth, and pressure. A good set of tires will help you get through the few days of icy weather we see in the Hill Country. You might also notice your TPMS warning light comes on in the morning and turns off by the afternoon. I’m sure we all remember the Gay-Lussac’s law that states, “When volume is held constant, pressure is directly proportional to temperature…”. You might just need your tire pressure topped off.
- Windshield washer pumps and lines. The water inside the system can freeze causing damage when the temperature drops below 32 degrees. Like your engine coolant, there are products that can be used with anti-freeze properties to keep this from happening.
If you have any concerns about your vehicle being ready for the upcoming months, find a professional and honest automotive service business like Dripping Springs Automotive Center. We can perform a courtesy inspection that will check everything mentioned here and more. From all of us to you, safe travels this winter and holiday season!