Winter takes a heavy toll on our cars. Not only are they harder to start up in the Winter, but dangerous road conditions and harsh weather have the ability to damage our cars. During the Winter, it’s not uncommon that car owners need to bring their vehicle in for maintenance, in order to ensure that the car not only runs properly, but that it remains safe. If it’s been a while since you’ve taken your car in for maintenance, or if you suspect there is something wrong with your car, here is a few common car problems associated with Winter that you should have checked out.
Tires Lost Their Traction
As tires age they begin to wear down and become less effective. This is especially dangerous in the Winter, as slippery road conditions make driving unsafe. You need to have excellent tires installed on your car so that you have strong traction when driving through ice and snow. Check your tires before you drive again, and see how much tread remains. If you find that your tires are starting to go bald, it’s a good time to replace them before the next snowstorm arrives. Here are some other signs to warn you that it’s time for new tires.
A New Battery
Cars need a strong electrical charge in order to start the engine. When cold weather arrives, batteries become less effective, and need to work even harder to ignite. If your battery is old, or if you leave your car sitting for too long in cold weather without running it, you may find that your battery doesn’t have enough juice to start the engine. While jump starting your car will likely work in the short-term, you will eventually need to replace the battery. Doing so ensures you don’t walk outside one cold morning and find that you can’t get to work.
Wheel Alignment
Winter means pot holes, and that means your wheels could need alignment. Your wheels need to be properly balanced and aligned in order for your car to run smoothly, and hitting a pot hole could ruin all of this. If you find that your car shakes at high speeds, or that you are drifting to the left or right when you drive, then the alignment could be the issue. To learn more about wheel alignment, you can check out this link – https://www.pickeringsauto.com/wheel-alignment.
Fender Replacement or Repair
Unfortunately, bad road conditions often lead to accidents. No matter how careful you are, you may find yourself sliding into some other object, or having someone slide into you. When this happens, your car’s fender often takes the brunt of the hit. If you’re lucky, the worst you’ll get is a small scratch or dent that is easily removed. In other cases, you might need to have the entire fender, or bumper, replaced. Drive slow, and watch out for other cars, in order to try and avoid this from happening at all.
New Windshield Wipers
When the rain and snow start to fall, seeing out your windshield becomes more difficult. This problem is only made worse if you don’t have a good set of windshield wipers. If you find that your wipers are not cleaning your window as well as it should, or if the wiper breaks entirely, you’ll want to replace it right away. Luckily, windshield wipers are not too expensive, and you can probably figure out how to install them yourself. Don’t make the roads any more dangerous they need to be, and have the wipers replaced as soon as you suspect a problem.
New Brake Pads
Your brakes get a heavy workout during the Winter, as the slippery roads cause us to use them more often. The more you use your brakes, the quicker they wear down, and the more dangerous they become. If your car shakes when you apply the brakes, or if you hear a squeaking sound, it’s time to have them checked out. You don’t want to find out that your brake pads are completely worn down the next time you’re trying to drive down a hill in the middle of a snowstorm.
Improve the Heat
Finally, you want the inside of your car comfortable as you drive. For this to happen in the Winter, the heat needs to work properly. If you find that your car is taking a long time to heat up, or if it doesn’t heat up at all, take it in for an inspection. Winter lasts a long time, and even once it’s gone, the cold weather has a way of lingering. Don’t suffer through the cold weather, and ensure the heat works properly in your car as soon as you can.
