Prepare your vehicle for winter conditions

If it snows once a year in Austin, it’s a milestone; but let’s not forget that apparently we’re going to have to deal with hard freezes continuously from now until, my guess is, at least late February. As the leading Honda Service Center in Austin, we know that preparing your car for winter isn’t something that people here normally talk about (or do). However, if you’re planning to go northbound for the holidays or get in your car before 9am, you should check these 6 areas of your car because they’ll be tested by the elements.

1. Tires – (This applies mostlty if you’re driving to a snow-friendly state or area.) One of the more important things when driving in snow and the cold are your tires. If you are traveling to an area with a lot of snow, you should look into potentially purchasing snow tires. Winter tires are a good buy because they are made for driving on snow and ice, giving drivers more traction.

2. Tire Pressure – If winter tires don’t fit your budget make sure to maintain your tire pressure (very important in Austin). We wrote a blog about the importance of proper tire pressure when fall started, so give it a read. Proper tire pressure allows the best possible contact between your tires and the road.

3. 4WD – If your vehicle has 4-wheel-drive make sure it works properly. Engage your 4WD and make sure it disengages properly, and that it doesn’t make odd noises. If something doesn’t sound right, come by the Service Department to get it checked as it makes winter driving a lot easier.

4. Oil – The thickness of the oil needs to be fairly low so that it circulates well in an engine given that oil gets thick in cold temperatures. This is especially important in older car models since modern ones normally come with oil that’s thin enough to make it through winter.

5. Belts and Hoses – Belts and hoses should be inspected as the colder temperatures have a history of shortening the life of both of them.

6. Antifreeze – Lastly, one of the most important fluids is antifreeze, or coolant. For the best performance, there should be a 50/50 combination between antifreeze and water inside your car’s radiator. Antifreeze keeps your vehicles fluids from freezing, hence the name anti-freeze.

These are a few steps you can take to help prepare your vehicle for winter conditions. Although some people say we luck out being in Austin, it hasn’t been the case so far with the freezing temperatures and if you know someone traveling north during the next couple of months pay this post forward as it can give peace of mind to drivers with little experience driving in the winter elements.