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How to prepare your car for winter

How to prepare your car for winter

Winter is quickly approaching which means that the roadways can soon be more dangerous to drive on. Here in Alberta, the weather does not get as intense as it does in other parts of the country. However, during the peak of winter, the roadways can become covered in snow and ice, and the climate can reach sub-zero temperatures.

 

In order to keep your vehicle in peak condition and keep you safe on the roadways in the winter, here is a look at a few different things that you can do to get your car ready for the cold temperatures this winter.

 

Get a Set of Winter Tires

 

 

Winter tires are different than all-season tires. These specialty tires are made by using thicker rubber and have a deeper tread. This helps the tire to retain traction on the road when it is covered in snow or ice. Even if there is no snow on the ground, it is still a good idea to put winter tires onto your car when the temperatures hit the single digits. All-season tires tend to get stiff when temperatures get close to freezing. This means that even without snow on the ground, other tires may lose traction in the winter. Winter tires are specially designed to have good traction no matter how low the temperatures get outside.

 

Keep a Close Eye on Your Tire Pressure

 

Now that you have the right kind of tire on your car, you need to ensure that it has the right amount of air inside of it. As the temperatures begin to drop, so will the air pressure in your tire. The loss of air pressure may be so little that you can not detect it by looking at your tire. However, even if the loss of air pressure doesn't seem immediately noticeable, it can still cause damage to your tire if you continue to drive on it without having the proper amount of air.

 

Check the Fluid Levels

 

 

The harsh winter conditions have been known to cause damage to certain components under the hood of your car. You should check the fluid levels regularly. If you notice that the coolant or other fluids are running a little low, fill the reservoirs up and then check all of the hoses and other fluid lines to ensure that there are no leaks, cracks, or other damage.

 

Check the Battery

 

It is also common for car batteries to lose power in the winter. This is mainly due to the fact that it takes more power to crank the engine when the temperature is below freezing. Before the peak of winter gets here, you should have your battery looked at by a professional service technician. The technician will examine the battery to make sure that there is no corrosion or other damage. They will then check the voltage of the battery to ensure that it is strong enough to last all winter long.

 

Get Your Car Ready for the Winter in Alberta

 

 

If you are unsure whether or not your car is ready for the upcoming winter, feel free to contact us today. The experienced service technicians at Royal Oak Nissan can check your vehicle to ensure that it is ready for the winter conditions. We can also give you helpful tips to ensure that your car stays in peak condition during the colder months.

Categories: Winter Tires, Car service