Tips to get your vehicle ready for cold weather

Winter is coming!

Thanksgiving is only days away. In Michigan that means deer hunting and preparations for winter.

There are steps you should take to avoid a cold morning huddled over your car while standing in snow up to your ankles.

Cold weather can kill off an already weak battery, reduce tire pressure and more. A thorough inspection at Drago’s Corvettes will help you get your vehicle ready for winter. Our technicians will check the following:

* Battery: Cold weather can severely affect the cranking power of a battery. Your technician can test the battery’s strength and recommend a replacement if it’s too weak. Along with the battery, the cables, wires and terminals around the battery should be inspected for corrosion, fraying and cracks.

* Coolant/antifreeze: It’s simple: The coolant /antifreeze in your vehicle should provide freeze-free protection for the most extreme temperatures experienced in your area. A Drago’s technician can perform a simple test that quickly determines the threshold of protection. If the protection level isn’t deemed sufficient, consider having the old coolant replaced with new antifreeze that’s suitable for colder temperatures.

* Belts and hoses: Old, frayed and cracked belts and hoses can be more susceptible to failure in cold temperatures, as they experience greater temperature extremes—from possible sub-zero temperatures on cold morning start-ups, to high heat as the engine warms. Have them inspected and replaced, if necessary.

* Engine oil: Some vehicles’ engines, particularly older ones, benefit from using less viscous (thinner) oil during the winter, such as 5W30 instead of 10W30. Reference the vehicle’s Owner’s Manual or consult your Drago’s technician before making this change.

* Tires: Your tires literally connect your car to the road. There are two items to point out here: tire pressure and tread wear. Because cold air is denser than warm air, you may lose air pressure in your vehicle’s tires during the winter. For the best performance, safety and fuel economy, have the tire pressure checked throughout the winter—even if your vehicle is equipped with a tire pressure monitoring system. When it comes to tread wear, drivers in Michigan should have their vehicles’ tires inspected to ensure they have adequate tread to push through the white stuff. You may also want to consider snow tires, particularly for rear-wheel-drive vehicles.

* One final tip: Keep your car washed regularly through the winter—especially if you live in an area that uses road salt. Road salt is extremely corrosive to brakes, the undercarriage and even to the body of your vehicle. A trip through a drive-through car wash every couple of weeks will help extend the life of your vehicle.