Keep your vehicle healthy and strong this winter by preparing ahead of time. There are many steps that you can take to winterize your vehicle and have an easier winter driving experience. As always, Benny Boyd Copperas Cove is here to help along the way; contact us if you have any questions regarding the process of winterizing your vehicle. 

The oil in your car's engine can change depending on temperatures outside. Because outside temperatures can effect the internal temperature of your engine, you need to use proper oil for weather conditions. If you live where temperatures get below freezing in the winter months, you will want to switch to thinner oil. If you run a 10W-30 in the summer, for example, try moving to a 5W-30 when changing your oil in the fall or winter. 

The coolant in your vehicle is used for more than just keeping your engine from overheating. It is also used to protect your engine against corrosion. Before it gets too cold outside, be sure your coolant has ethylene glycol to help protect your engine. Every car takes a certain coolant to water ratio. For most vehicles, a winter ratio is 60% coolant to 40% water. Adjusting to this ration is an important step in winterizing your vehicle.

Cold weather is tough on your car’s battery. The chemical reactions required to generate power in a car battery slow down in extremely cold temperatures. At 5 degrees F, a fully charged lead-acid battery has only half its rated amp-hour capacity. On top of that, during cold weather, your engine requires more current from the battery in order to get the engine started. Combine less power output with more power requirements and you get a car that won’t start on a cold winter morning. So have a Benny Boyd Copperas Cove mechanic run a battery load test to see if you need to replace the battery. Even if you don’t, they will check for and clean up any corrosion he finds on your posts and connections. The mechanic might also fill your battery with distilled water if needed.

Mounting the right tires on your vehicle can give you an advantage when dealing with difficult road conditions. Most manufactureres recommend all four of your tires be changed for the winter. The difference between snow and summer tires can cause problems while driving if you don't. For extreme conditions, you can buy tires with studs on them to maximize tire traction and safety.