6 Tips to Get Your Car Winter Ready

The change to winter in Medina, Ohio, means colder temperatures and plenty of snow. While we may be prepared for the freezing environment, it’s also essential to prepare our vehicles. The struggle can be real when winter comes. Everything from scraping the ice and snow off your windshield to waiting for your car to get warm is just part of what you’ll have to deal with. However, completing some essential maintenance for your vehicle before the heart of winter will provide you with some peace of mind. The last thing you’ll want is a breakdown or a risk to your safety. Read about some useful winter care tips from Ken Ganley Kia of Medina.

Ensure Visibility Doesn’t Get Compromised

Wiper blades typically last about six months or so, but it’s imperative to replace them if you notice streaking. Reducing your visibility during a snowstorm can put yourself and other motorists at risk on the road. Ensure your wiper fluid is filled to the appropriate level so you can clear away salt or dirt from the road. Test your heater and defroster to know you can see clearly out of the front, side, and rear windows. If you have foggy headlights, consider getting them restored. Winter is the time of year when the sun goes down earlier, and you’ll depend on your headlights to help lead the way during dark and snowy nights home from work.

Get Your Battery Checked

The colder temperatures can make your battery work a little bit harder during the winter. The freezing temperatures begin in December, January, and February. It’s a good rule of thumb to have our certified service center check your battery, especially if it’s over three years old. While someone may not mind providing you a jump start in the middle of a snowstorm, you’ll be happy to avoid this situation if you can.

Take Care Of Your Tires

Have you noticed as the temperature starts to drop that you all of a sudden see your tire pressure indicator on your dashboard? There’s a reason why. Roughly every 10 degrees Fahrenheit decrease will reduce your tire pressure by one pound per square inch. Lower tire pressure can give you a more challenging time handling the sleek nature of winter and increase the likelihood that you’ll blow a tire. Check your owner’s manual to see the proper amount of inflation. The risk of worn tires is amplified more with wintertime’s wet roads. Check your tread to ensure you’ll have the traction needed for slippery conditions, or check with our service department if you’re considering snow tires. The tires we have for sale are top-rated brands, and we can help you match the correct ones for your Kia.

Prepare For The Unexpected

If you happen to have a flat tire or a breakdown, being prepared to wait in a cold car is a must. The following items are recommended to keep in your car for the winter.

– jumper cables, jack, and reflective triangle for dark roads
– flashlights, perishable food, water, first-aid kits, and warm blankets
Consider setting ground rules if you have teenage drivers. You may want to limit their driving at night with snow on the ground, or there is severe weather in the forecast as well.

Get Your Brakes Inspected

Cold weather and snow can be an extreme challenge for the braking system. As it is harder to stop on icy roads, it will cause your brakes to wear quicker than they usually would. If you forgo replacing your brake pads, it could cause avoidable damage to your system or put you at higher risk for an accident. Our Kia technicians believe in regular brake inspections to stay safe on the road.

Get A Tune-Up And Oil Change

If you have an older vehicle, consider getting a tune-up to ensure everything is working the way it should. Our service center will take a look at everything under the sun that your Kia needs to run optimally, including the belts and hoses, spark plugs, battery, and much more. Not only will your car run the way you want, but you’ll have that extra confidence of knowing your vehicle won’t fail on you at the worst time possible.

Stop Into Ken Ganley Kia of Medina For A Winter Checkup!

It’s no doubt that winter is a beautiful time of the year, but it also comes with some risks when you’re on the road. Ken Ganley of Medina would love to help make sure you’re protected. Schedule an appointment online or give us a call for a service appointment.