Winter presents some different challenges for vehicles. There are not only rougher roads that you need to deal with, but also temperature drops as well. If you don’t take proper precautions, you may find that the winter becomes a significant challenge for your Hyundai vehicle, and that it even causes some expensive issues. However, you can do some basic things to help get your car ready for the colder weather.
Test Your Battery
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One thing you should be sure to do is to check your battery. As temperatures drop, some batteries become less efficient. If the temperature drops to a certain degree, you may even find that your battery doesn’t have enough power to start up your car. You don’t want to get up one morning, when temperatures are lower, and find that your car won’t start before work. A trusted auto service center can test your battery and see how strong it is. If your battery is approaching the end of its life, you can then replace it before the colder temperatures arrive.
Inspect Your Tires
Next, you’ll want to focus on your tires. When weather conditions get wet and cold, you’ll want to have the best tires possible on your car to ensure you maintain solid traction with the ground. Before the winter arrives, it’s a good idea to inspect your tires, and brakes as well. First, take a look to see how much tread is left on each tire. If your tires are starting to look bald or unevenly worn, or if you can see the wear bar, it’s time to get some new tires.
You should also check to ensure your tires are properly inflated. Changes in outside temperature can impact the pressure inside your tires, so you should regularly check the pressure throughout the winter. You can find the proper inflation amount on the tire or inside your owner’s manual. To test the pressure, take your car to a service center; alternatively, some gas stations have tire pressure monitors you can use.
Also, when checking your tires, don’t forget to check your spare. Hopefully, you won’t need to use it this winter, but if you do happen to get a flat, you’ll want a reliable spare tire in your car. Check that your spare tire doesn’t have any cracks in its sides, that it’s properly inflated, and that there is plenty of tread on it.
Add Snow Tires
For even better traction during the winter, consider adding snow tires to your vehicle. Snow tires are special tires specifically designed to help cars drive through snowy conditions. And while Plano, Texas, only gets about 2 inches of snow per year, you never know when it’s going to hit. Adding some snow tires to your vehicle helps give you some peace of mind, and you can use them for several winters to come.
Check All Fluid Levels
It’s always important to check your vehicle’s fluid levels, but especially before winter comes. Colder temperatures make it harder for certain components of your vehicle to operate. If your car is low on certain fluids, it will have an even harder time. Cold weather plus a lack of fluids could lead to some significant issues for your car, which could result in costly repairs.
There are a few fluid levels you’ll want to monitor. The first is your oil level. You can easily check this yourself by looking at the dipstick near your engine. The next fluid to check is your brake fluid level. You can see if your vehicle has enough brake fluid by looking at the brake fluid container in your engine compartment and seeing if the fluid level reaches the recommended line.
It’s also a good idea to check your windshield wiper fluid and transmission fluid. It’s easy to add more windshield wiper fluid if you’re a little low, but the transmission fluid is a bit harder. If you’re unsure how to check and replace these different fluids within your vehicle, let a professional auto service station handle it for you.
Check Your Windshield Wipers and Defroster
While you’re checking the windshield wiper fluid, also check the wipers themselves. Make sure they are in good condition and that there is still plenty of rubber on the wipers. Ice and snow often present complex tasks for wipers, causing them to break under strain. This is even more likely if your wipers are old and already on the verge of breaking. You don’t want to realize your wipers aren’t working correctly in the middle of the next snowstorm, so give them a good inspection now before it arrives.
At the same time, check your defrosting system. Turn on the defrost and make sure there is hot air coming out of the vents near your windshield. You’ll need a solid defrosting system if you want to drive safely in the winter. It’s better to learn now if it’s not working so that you can get it taken care of.
Update Your Emergency Kit
Finally, make sure your car’s emergency kit has some winter-related supplies. For example, you may want to add a space blanket, along with some portable hand warmers, in case your car breaks down during cold weather. Some other things you may want to include are a warm pair of gloves, a snow shovel, and a lighter. Today, there are so many car gadgets worth the money to keep in your car for emergencies and just everyday commuting.
Let Huffines Hyundai in Plano Help Winterize Your Vehicle
No matter what sort of Hyundai vehicle you’re driving, Huffines Hyundai in Plano can help you winterize it. Our service center will not only inspect your vehicle and make sure everything is ready to go for winter, but if we notice any problems, we’ll help you take care of them. We can replace your fluids, inspect and install new tires, make sure your heating system is working properly, and much more. We also regularly offer service specials to make your visit more affordable.
To get started, simply contact our service department today and schedule an appointment. By taking care of this as soon as you can, you can rest easier once the temperatures drop and winter arrives.