Winter Auto Maintenance Checklist in Midland, MI

Now that the holidays are nearing, our schedules are stacking up with more shopping, traveling, and errands in colder weather. And every retail establishment plays songs reminding us of snow, winter, and holiday cheer. While we can wear heavy coats and beanies to protect ourselves from this chilly weather, we must also protect our cars. This handy winter auto maintenance checklist covers all of your vehicle’s basic components, including checking the antifreeze, car battery, and tires in Midland, MI.

Winter Auto Maintenance

Antifreeze

Antifreeze is just one component of the coolant in your radiator. It is mixed with distilled water and prevents your engine components from freezing during frigid temperatures. It also lubricates the water pump and protects the cooling system from corrosion and scale build-up. It’s important to have fresh and clean antifreeze in your vehicle during the winter months. Schedule an appointment with your auto technician if it has been a while since your last antifreeze service. They will test the pH level and tell you if you need a fluid top-off or if the coolant has passed its effectiveness and requires flushing and refilling.

Automotive Defroster

When the cold air inside your car mixes with the warm, moist breath you exhale, condensation builds up on the windows, reducing visibility. And the more people inside the vehicle, the quicker the windows fog up. The heating and air conditioning system (HVAC) regulates your vehicle’s temperature and moisture levels. If the windows take forever to defog, even if the defroster is on ‘high’, schedule an HVAC System Service. A thorough inspection by a qualified technician should resolve the matter quickly.

Car Battery

Did you know that freezing temperatures can reduce the power of your car battery? To help prolong its life, frequently clean the cable connections, removing all corrosion. Battery testers and trickle chargers are available to help you track the health of your car battery. Depending on your vehicle, the typical lifespan of a car battery can vary. Consult your owner’s manual or service technician if you have questions regarding the overall health of your battery.

Car Wash

Road salt, engine oil, and road grime often build up on your bumpers, fenders, and undercarriage during the winter. Help protect your vehicle this winter and use a drive-through car wash equipped with a wheel & undercarriage wash feature. A car wash reduces the accumulation of corrosion-causing road grime on (and under) your car.

A Word About Road Salts

Most road salt is halite, or rock salt, which is basically table salt (NaCl) in its natural form. Table salt is purified to be considered ‘safe’ for human consumption. Rock salt is unprocessed and still contains impurities, so it’s often light brown or gray in color. Exposure to road salts can create surface rust and corrosion to your vehicle’s exterior components.

Tires

Inspect your tires regularly for damages. Including the tire tread depth and wear patterns, sidewall integrity, and check the pressure valves. Test each tire’s air pressure to ensure they have the correct amount of air (don’t forget the spare). Schedule a tire service to repair damages and slow leaks. If you have seasonal snow tires, they should be installed on your car now, so get started if you still have them in the garage. 

Ice & Snow Tire Chains or Tire Cables

If you use snow chains, thoroughly inspect them for damage, rust, or broken links and fasteners. Remember, corrosion-riddled snow chains can cause damage to your car and the road if they break. Many districts have hefty fines for motorists who damage roadways due to faulty or misused snow chains, so be sure to replace them if necessary. If they are in good shape, safely store them in a sack or box in your trunk for easy accessibility when needed.

Wiper Blades

Wiper blades must be flexible and maintain contact with the entire windshield surface. They are most effective when free of debris build-up. A clean windshield helps wiper blades sweep away the most moisture and snow with each pass. Keep your windows clean using the gas station’s windshield wash basin each time you get gas. If your vehicle’s wiper blades consistently leave streaks and chatter or skip across the windshield, replace them with new ones. Typically, wiper blades require replacement every 6-12 months.

Windshield Wiper Fluid

Use a winter-formula wiper fluid if you experience a frosted or icy windshield or even heavy snow every morning. These cold-weather formulas help melt snow and ice and don’t re-freeze quickly (which is super helpful if you’re already driving). Various opinions exist on whether mixing summer and winter formula wiper fluids is safe. Some experts say it’s okay to combine them, and some say NEVER to mix them. I like to err on the ‘don’t mix them’ side of the argument. So when winter arrives, I drain my wiper fluid reservoir and rinse it with plain water before plugging it up again and adding the fresh winter formula wiper fluid.

Winter Auto Maintenance in Midland, MI

To keep your vehicle on the road and running smoothly this winter, give it the pampering it deserves. Follow the recommended winter auto maintenance schedules in your owner’s manual and bring your car to All A’s Automotive & Transmission Repair in Midland, MI. Our qualified technicians will perform all the winter auto maintenance your car needs, from the antifreeze and car battery to the tires. Top to bottom, we’ve got you covered!

Schedule Your Service

Call us at (989)631-4672 or visit us online to schedule your service appointment today!