Nick's Precision Automotive Service Center
531 Tunxis Hill Rd.
Fairfield, CT 06825
203-366-4775

		Specializing in Honda and Acura Repairs
		Connecticut Official Emissions Test Station

Get Ready for Winter!

Fall is already here and in a short time, winter will be upon us. As you gear up for the colder temperatures, now is a good time to take preventive measures to care for your vehicle.

Regardless of the type of car that you own whether it's second-hand or brand new it is important that you provide it with the proper maintenance it deserves.

Your car requires different types of maintenance check for different seasons, the car maintenance routines for the summer season are very much different as those required for the winter season and so forth and so on.

Since fall is coming and very soon it would be winter the car maintenance done during the fall season is basically a preparation for the coming winter months. About.com provides very practical tips on what your winter car maintenance checklist should be comprised of:

Check your oil
In addition to being a lubricant, oil also dissipates heat and makes parts run cooler; it helps reduce engine noise; it combats rust and corrosion of metal surfaces; it acts as a seal for pistons, rings, and cylinder walls; it combines with the oil filter to remove foreign substances from the engine.
Winter grade oil is a lighter weight to help make cold weather starts easier. Naturally, you need to change the oil filter as well.


Check your antifreeze
Your antifreeze (the juice that goes in your radiator) is an essential part of your car's winter protection.
Your car contains a 50/50 mix of water and antifreeze. Make sure the level is full and the mixture is close to 50/50. Many service stations and repair centers will check this mixture free, or you can buy a tester for around $5.


Check your tires
The last line of defense between you and an oak tree are your tires. Winter is not the time to get cheap about your tires, so take the time to check the tread depth. The National Highway Transportation Safety Board says you need at least 2/32" of depth to be safe. It's been my experience, especially in winter weather, that anything less than 4/32" (1/8") be replaced soon. The old penny test is as reliable as anything to find out whether your treads are ready for winter action. Also, be sure to check your tire pressure. Believe it or not, they lose a little pressure when it gets cold, so pump 'em up.

Check your wipers
Wipers? What do your windshield wipers have to do with winter weather? Two things. First, anything falling from the sky is going to end up on your windshield, and unless you have a team of beavers riding on the hood of your car the task of clearing it falls on your wipers. Second, in areas that see snowfall in the winter, you're also driving through that soupy muck that's left on the road once the highway department does their thing. This muck includes a lot of sand and salt, both of which end up on your windshield. It takes wipers that are in top shape to keep your windshield clean and safe.

Check your windshield washer fluid
You'll be using lots of washer fluid as you try to keep your windshield sparkly. A mile stuck behind an 18-wheeler will have your windshield looking a Desert Storm Humvee if you're low on washer fluid. *Tip: Don't fill your washer fluid reservoir with anything except washer fluid, it won't freeze!

Get a tune-up
Winter driving puts an extra-added strain on the engine. The lower the temperature, the harder it is for the fuel to ignite when starting. If you haven't had a tune-up in a while, now is the time to get one. With a fresh set of spark plugs and new distributor cap, rotor and ignition wires as needed, your chances of your car starting without flooding greatly improve. Get the belts and hoses checked as well.

 

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