Fort Collins Vehicle Maintenance: Is Your Car Ready for Winter?

Is Your Car Ready for Winter?

October 5, 2020 7:39pm

Whether you’ve lived in Colorado for your entire life or you’re a new resident, chances are that you’ve heard about just how unpredictable winter weather can be in our neck of the woods. Thankfully, at Fort Collins Muffler and Automotive, we’re here to help ensure that your car is ready for the winter ahead.

That’s why in today’s post, we’re highlighting some of the most important tips to follow to ensure that you’re fully prepared for winter in Colorado. While we may go weeks at a time without a sign of snow, the truth is that the weather here can change at the drop of a hat, and that’s why it’s so vitally important to ensure that you’re ready for anything. Keep reading to learn more, and if you need assistance, contact our team of Fort Collins auto repair experts.

How to Prepare Your Vehicle for Winter in Colorado

Winter Car Prep

Get an Oil Change

Although an oil change is often the most-completed form of vehicle maintenance, it’s especially important to be sure that your vehicle is ready for the cold weather ahead. Depending on your vehicle and the temperature, it may be worth asking us if it’s necessary to use a different kind of oil.

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Change Your Wiper Blades

If it’s been awhile since you’ve changed your windshield wiper blades, now is the time to do it! Ice, snow, and sleet can quickly cause problems on your windshield, and when your defroster is working to melt them, a quality pair of wiper blades can quickly get rid of water that would otherwise accumulate and freeze. Being able to see clearly out of your window makes all the difference in the world during a winter snowstorm, so make sure you’re prepared by testing your wiper blades. It’s also a great time to check your wiper fluid levels to ensure that they’re topped off before winter begins.

Have Your Heater Inspected

There’s nothing worse than getting into a cold car when it’s freezing outside only to discover that your heater isn’t working. Trust us when we say that even if you’re bundled up in warm outdoor gear, driving a car while it’s in single digits gets old very quickly. Bring your vehicle in to have your heater and defroster checked and tuned up now to avoid trouble later.

Check Your Tires

One of the most vital components of driving on a snowy Colorado day is tires. Whether you have snow tires put on your vehicle or not is entirely up to you, but making certain that your tires have enough tread is crucial. Our advice? Use a penny! All you have to do is place your penny in the treads of your tires. If the top of President Lincoln’s head disappears in the treads, chances are that your tires are in good shape.

Of course, this is one area where we recommend double and triple checking to ensure that you’re safe. Need a hand? Bring your vehicle in for general maintenance and ask us what we think. We’ll let you know the safest option based on the specific wear you have on your tires.

Keep an Emergency Supply Kit

Ultimately, you never know when things will take a turn for the worst. That’s why it’s so important to ensure that you’re ready for anything. After all, if you’re stuck at the office or broken down on the side of the road, you’ll be thankful that you prepared an emergency kit. We recommend keeping the following items tucked away in the trunk of your car:

Blanket (reflective if possible)
Water bottle
Candles
Jumper cables
Multipurpose tool
Flashlight
First aid kit
Duct tape
Extra clothing

GET YOUR CAR READY WITH EXPERT VEHICLE MAINTENANCE

At Fort Collins Muffler and Automotive, we would be glad to provide you with any vehicle maintenance your car needs before winter rolls around. Although it’s hard to believe that summer is in the rearview mirror, fall is in full swing and we’ll get our first snow before we know it. It pays to be prepared, so whether you’re in need of an oil change, new tires, brake repair, an alignment, or general car care, our team is here to help.

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