Winterizing Your Car 101

COLORADO SPRINGS – Things are starting to get cold here in southern Colorado as we settle into the fall. And with the winter weather fast approaching, it’s important to prepare your car for winter driving.

I spoke with the owner of Honest Accurate Auto Service West and he offered me some tips on how we can prepare our cars for the months ahead. He said you’d be surprised how many people find themselves in unforeseen situations, at the most inconvenient times because they didn’t take those easy steps before winter came.

“One of the most important things is to get that coolant checked. We want to make sure the levels are right and it’s rated to the right degree so that we don’t freeze that engine block over the winter. The other thing that is really important is the batteries. Remove the hot and cold battery, so we want to do a good full test on your battery to make sure it’s ready for winter, ”said Jesse Schillinger, owner of Honest Accurate Auto Service West.

Schillinger said it’s also important to have emergency snacks in your car, along with other items. “One is jumper cables, but the second is a safety kit,” he continued. “You want to make sure you have a good safety kit that you can buy from Amazon, O’Reilly’s, those kind of places sell them. But you want to make sure you have the salt in there to melt the snow. , you have a shovel if you need it, and of course you have a warm blanket to keep you warm if needed.

Schillinger recommends making sure your breaks are up to date and keeping your gas tank at least half full during freezing temperatures. Depending on how often you drive in the winter and the length of your commute to work, invest in winter wipers. He also says having a good set of tires is very important for winter driving.

Be sure to have your tire pressure checked before the weather cools, and also continue to check your tire pressure throughout the winter season. Schillinger also recommends investing in good quality tires. Those who drive within city limits can invest in all-season tires. He says those with a longer commute and using rural roads might consider investing in winter tires. Anyone who needs help getting their vehicle ready for the winter months can always make an appointment at a local auto shop.