Frequently Asked Winter Maintenance Questions
At Royal Subaru, we are proud to serve Martinsville and beyond by offering the services and information that you need to keep your vehicle in the best possible condition. With winter's harsh conditions, there is even more of a strain on your car than usual as well as higher stakes. Without the proper maintenance, you could find yourself in a dangerous situation.
It is our hope that by providing Bloomfield drivers with the expert service they need and the answers to their questions about maintenance, they and others can prepare their vehicles and feel confident driving this winter. While the idea of preparing your vehicle for winter may seem overwhelming, by following some basic maintenance tips, you can take on whatever winter has in store.
The Answers You Need for Winter Preparation
Do I Really Need Winter Tires?
Let's just say the short answer is yes. As a driver in the Spencer area, you are aware of how much snow and ice you can expect from an average winter, and it's not pretty. Summer and all-season tires lose their flexibility and suppleness at freezing temperatures, meaning that you also lose traction. Winter is a time that you need as much traction as you can possibly get and that's what winter tires offer.
Not only do winter tires have a freezing-resistant rubber that maintains its suppleness, but they also have a special tread pattern to avoid snow build-up and sipes that increase your traction on ice and snow. There's no substitute for the benefits of winter tires, so give yourself the peace of mind you need and make sure you have the traction you need to stay on the roads.
How Often Should I Check My Tire Pressure in Winter?
Check your tire pressure weekly. That may seem far too often, but tires lose about a pound of pressure for every 10-degree drop. If it's 40 degrees one week and negative ten the next, you can start to see how this can be a big issue, especially if you don't check for weeks. Underinflated tires can create uneven wear on your tires, making them less effective and wear out sooner, and also will decrease your traction.
As we've established, you need as much traction as you can get when driving in the Bedford area in winter. Keep yourself safe and your tires in good condition by checking them weekly.
How Can I Prepare My Car for Winter?
Having quality tires and checking the tires pressure are both within your control, but what about the trickier maintenance needed? If you know how to check your fluid levels and top them off, that would be a good place to start. You want to make sure you have enough windshield wiper fluid for salt and ice, coolant for your engine, brake fluid, and all other fluids.
While you may have a grasp on your fluids, perhaps you don't have the knowledge or automotive equipment for battery checks, oil changes, and heating and defrosting components. In fact, if you don't have a solid grasp already, then you should find a trusted mechanic or service center to help perform a winter inspection for you.
At Royal Subaru, we have a skilled team of technicians that know exactly how to prepare your vehicle for winter. By offering a comprehensive multi-point inspection, we can determine if your vehicle is road-ready and then perform the maintenance needed to make sure that it is. Some of the items we check for our winter maintenance checklist includes:
- Tread Depth, Wear, and Pressure
- Battery Checks and Replacements
- Heating and Defrosting Components
- Brake Inspections and Repairs
- Wind Shield Wipers
Come to Royal Subaru in Bloomington
Don't put off winter maintenance and risk getting into a dangerous situation. With the speedy, precise service that our service department offers, you can get the maintenance you need and return to your daily driving with a new sense of confidence. Schedule your winter maintenance service today!
