How to Prepare Your Car for Winter

As the weather gets cooler, the roads around Omaha become unpredictable. Be ready to take on your daily commute by preparing your car for winter. From taking care of important service tasks to your winter emergency kit, the team at Sid Dillon Mazda has what you need for your winter car prep checklist, so you can travel with peace of mind. Contact the team in our service center for your winter service needs.

Your Winter Prep Checklist

Whether you stick to Lincoln streets or taking a road trip for the holidays, learning how to prepare your car for winter lets you drive with confidence. Here’s what you can check off your winter car prep checklist:

• Check your coolant levels: When the weather drops, make sure your engine has enough coolant to maintain smooth performance. To prevent the fluid from freezing in your radiator, it’s a good idea to have a true 50/50 mixture of water and antifreeze. You can check the ratio using a testing kit, and verify the manufacturer’s recommended coolant in the vehicle’s owner’s manual. Then, easily order the right coolant from the Sid Dillon Mazda parts center.
• Change your oil: Also essential to your smooth performance is your engine oil. In the cold, the oil thickens and lowers its ability to circulate through the engine. Stay on top of this routine service in the winter to prevent any troubles.
• Check your belts and hoses: Cold temperatures can weaken belts and hoses causing them to crack or see other wear.
• Check your battery: Sometimes you find your car a little harder to start in the winter. That’s because your car requires more current from the battery to start the engine in colder temperatures. It’s a good idea to run a battery load test to check your battery levels, and inspect the battery cables and terminals for cracks.
• Fill your wiper fluid and replace the wiper blade: Keep your vision clear of ice, snow, salt, and mud. Top off your wiper fluid, and make sure your wiper blades can keep up. If you’re anticipating harsh weather, it’s a good idea to use freeze resistant wiper fluid and heavy-duty wiper blades.
• Check your tire tread: Worn tires can prevent you from getting the traction you need on slippery roads. See if your tires are ready for winter by performing the Penny Test. Insert a penny into a tread groove with Lincoln’s head pointing down. If Lincoln’s head is completely visible, your tires need to be replaced. Check your tread against the Lincoln Memorial on the other side, and if any part of the building is covered, your tires can take you through winter. However, when facing heavy snowfall and icy roads, you should consider switching to snow tires.
• Check your tire pressure: When preparing your car for winter, keep in mind that cold weather causes air pressure in your tires to drop at about 1 PSI per 10 degrees. Regularly check that your tires are at the pressure recommended by the manufacturer.
• Prepare a winter emergency kit: Sometimes accidents happen, and in the event of an emergency, it’s a good idea to have the tools you need to stay safe. Make a kit with blankets, flares, a jack, a first-aid kit, a phone charger, flashlight, shovel, food, and kitty litter or sand for traction in case you get stuck.
• Check your heater: Don’t face the winter chill on your Blair drives, make sure your heater is functioning properly.

Get Ready for Winter with Sid Dillon Mazda!

Now that you know how to prepare your car for winter, easily schedule service online with Sid Dillon Mazda. Be sure to save on your next service by checking our available service specials, and don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions about preparing your car for winter’s unpredictable weather.

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