Winter weather doesn’t just make it treacherous on the roads. It can also wreak havoc on your car itself. A little bit of winter preparation can go a long way toward protecting your car, extending its life, and maintaining its value. Below are some simple tips that you can do to protect your car in the winter.
How to Winterize Your Car
Wax the paint
The salt used to de-ice roads can collect on the body of your car and eat away at the paint and lead to corrosion. Applying a fresh coat of wax before winter will provide your car with a layer of added protection. And if you want to go the extra mile, you can have a ceramic coating applied.
Give it a (waterless) wash
A waterless wash is a pre-mixed spray solution that you can apply to your car by hand. A waterless car wash is a quick and easy way of wiping off salt and sludge in between actual car washes.
Cover it up
If you’re able, park your car in the garage during the winter. Doing so will protect the exterior from overnight moisture and keep the battery warm when temperatures are the lowest. If you can’t park in a garage, at least cover it up with a protective car cover.
Use a thinner oil
A thicker viscosity oil has a harder time lubricating the engine when its cold. Change your oil just prior to winter using a thinner oil that will have an easier time doing its job under the tough conditions.
Use antifreeze
As its name implies, antifreeze reduces the risk that the water in your car’s cooling system will freeze up, which can cause serious damage to the radiator and other parts. Antifreeze works by lowering the temperature that the water can freeze. Be sure your car is topped off with antifreeze before the thermometer drops.
Keep up the pressure
Tires can lose up to a pound of pressure for every 10-degree drop in temperature. And under-inflated tires can wear more quickly, go flat easier, and lose traction on slippery roads. Check your tire pressure twice a week during the winter.
Start Your Winter at Zimbrick
Kick off your winter by speaking with the expert technicians at Zimbrick Body Shops. We offer an extensive list of services and repairs and you can schedule your appointment online at one of our four Madison, WI locations.
Let Zimbrick Body Shop help keep your car out of the cold this winter.
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