Ca-Ca-Cold Season Tips Help Keep Drivers From Getting Frosted

Our rides could use a little extra love this time of year, especially if you live in extreme weather.

Even if you enjoy a milder climate and don’t have to shovel the driveway or worry about road salts damaging your wheels and undercarriage, there’s still things you can do to care for your vehicle this winter.

1. Consider using a set of winter tires. This is especially true if you’re going to be driving in the snow frequently. As their name implies, winter tires are specifically designed for cold weather. Their rubber compounds are specially formulated to remain pliable in frigid conditions. But remember to change them out once the weather starts heating up. Those rubber compounds which make winter tires ideal in frigid weather also makes them ill-suited for summer driving. A winter tire on a hot day will absorb heat, give off a lot of vibration and its tread will wear out quickly.
2. Have your battery tested. Cold weather can spell death for your battery. Don’t get caught off-guard. Swing by your trusted service center for a battery inspection and see if yours has enough juice to get through the winter.
3. Replace your cabin air filter. You’re going to be driving with the windows up and the climate control on more frequently these next few months. A fresh cabin air filter helps trap airborne contaminants that can make your interior dusty and you ill.
4. If you live in the frigid weather, use oil formulated for winter. Colder climates can hamper the performance of conventional oils, while synthetic grades typically handle the cold better. Oil codes can help you choose the right fluid for your vehicle. The “W” stands for winter; the number preceding the “W” refers to a cold weather viscosity, or thickness, at a certain temperature. A 5W- motor oil flows better at colder temperatures than 15W- oils in the same conditions.
5. Get your vehicle detailed. A good coat of wax helps prevent winter grime from destroying your beautiful vehicle finish. Regular cleaning of wheels and undercarriage also helps prevent road salts and other contaminants from causing rust.
6. Reduce allergents for a healthier interior. Have your interior thoroughly cleaned by a professional to remove muck and grime you may have tracked into your vehicle.
7. Get some rubber floor mats and seat covers. Nothing can keep your vehicle rugs protected like a good pair of form-fitting mats. Look for ones that have ridges and grooves that trap rain and muck.
8. Got Pets? SUV drivers should consider a cargo bed liner that doesn’t slide and keeps wet pets from soiling cloth or rug floors.