Huntington Beach Ford Service Experts Share Winter Car Tips

Ford service experts in Huntington Beach are here to remind you that October is “Car Care Month.” This means that you should start thinking about how you can take better care of your vehicle, especially with the winter season coming up. Colder weather can bring a variety of car troubles, stress, and inconveniences. In order to prevent these things, auto shop experts recommend following certain maintenance guidelines.

Changing Your Wipers

With rainy days ahead, it is important that your vehicle has wiper blades that work. According to auto experts, wiper blades typically last 6 months to a year. So, any wipers that are older than that could be ineffective. If you start to notice that your wipers are creating streaks instead of fully wiping off debris, then it is time to replace them. Having fully functional wiper blades ensures that your visibility is optimized and, therefore, increases your safety. While you’re checking your wipers, make sure that you refill your wiper fluid as well. 

Checking Your Battery

It is common for car batteries to slow down during the colder months, which can impact the amount of current your engine needs to start. In order to prevent battery issues in the future, you should take your car to a Huntington Beach Ford service mechanic in order to have the battery wires and terminals thoroughly inspected. Certified mechanics will check for any cracks and rust in the system and make sure that it is properly charged.

Checking Your Tire Pressure

During the wintertime, it is typical for tire pressure to decrease 1 PSI for every 10 degrees Fahrenheit. Low tire pressure can increase the chances of having a blown tire, upset vehicle handling, and worsen fuel efficiency. So, in order to offset these symptoms, it is important to check your tires and make sure they are inflated to the right level. You can see what PSI your vehicle needs for its tires by checking the sticker on the inside of the driver’s door. 

Considering Tire Tread

If you are planning on driving up the mountains or visiting somewhere else with snow and ice, then you should definitely consider your tire tread. This factor is very important in your car keeping its grip on the road. Without the right tread, slippery roads could lead to any number of accidents. Make sure that you have the proper snow tires or chains in order to tackle this kind of terrain. 

Creating an Emergency Kit

It’s impossible to plan for every circumstance. However, there are some emergency resources that you can leave in your car for a number of potential issues. Here are some things that you might want to keep in your car, just in case: water, blankets, first-aid kits, flashlights, jumper cables, road flares, reflective tools. The bigger the adventure, the more important it is to have a back-up plan.   

Winter is a lovely time of year that many of us look forward to with pleasure. However, it is important to remember the practical side of things. Preventative maintenance and planning is the best way to avoid car mishaps and ensure that things run as smoothly as possible.