Wait a minute, we've only just finished summer and… now we're thinking about how to winterize your vehicle? Those seasons do sure change fast, right?
But seriously, the question of how to winterize a vehicle is one we regularly get at this time of year, so we thought we'd answer it for all of our loyal customers, and help everyone feel prepared, safe, and ready for the roads… whatever the weather decides to throw at us in the cold months! Brr!
Why Winterize Your Vehicle?
Winters in Wisconsin can be pretty heavy with those freezing temperatures, icy roads, and heavy snowfall, not to mention all that grit and road salt taking a toll on your vehicle. If your winterize vehicle checklist hasn't been ticked off, your Chevy might really feel the brunt.
Whether you're driving an Equinox, Traverse, Silverado, or Malibu, it's time to get into preventative maintenance mode and make sure everything's prepared before the temperatures plummet!
Your Winterize Vehicle Checklist
We asked the Gandrud Chevrolet team for their best tips on how to winterize a vehicle, and this is what they said:
Check the battery… now.
Don't wait for your battery to drain in cold weather. Low temperatures affect the battery's performance and make it harder to start your engine, so even if it worked perfectly all summer, it might fail in winter.
So, check around the battery for any signs of corrosion, any loose connections, or general issues. If it's a few years old or your engine's been starting more slowly, get a battery test in our garage now, rather than waiting until you're stranded!
Check those winter tires now
Check that your tires meet legal tread depth requirements and then look for any signs of cracking, odd wear patterns, and general damage. You need at least 2/32 of an inch tread depth minimum, by law, but we recommend more for grip on those icy roads.
Again, just pop in to our garage, and our team will check your tires for you and make any recommendations. For example, we might recommend specific winter tires to handle snow and ice. We'll check the pressure too — get in the habit of doing this before you set off on a journey.
Top up fluids
No, not your coffee levels (although they're important too), but your engine coolant, washer fluid (replace it with a winter formula that doesn't freeze), and your engine oil. Check your transmission fluid and brake fluid too if you can, or ask us to do it, especially if you have any concerns.
Check the exterior
This means looking at your windshield wipers and lights to make sure they are working properly. If your blades are streaky, stiff or splitting, just change them. It's such a low-cost upgrade and takes only a minute to switch the blades. Similarly, if any lights are broken, you need to replace them by law.
This is also a good time to wash your Chevy carefully before adding a protective wax or paint sealant to protect the paintwork from all that road salt and grit that the road crews will be using to keep everything passable in snow and ice.
Check the interior
To winterize vehicle interiors, check that the heating system is working, check the defrosters, and make sure you have a snow brush and ice scraper in the trunk. Make sure brakes are working properly before any journeys, and always get your car into the garage quickly if any warning lights come on.
Get your emergency kit in place
How to winterize your vehicle for emergencies? Have your kit ready! Reflective warning equipment and clothing are useful if you find yourself on the edge of a dark road, and water and snacks are a smart move if you ever find yourself waiting for road recovery.
Book Your Winterize Vehicle Check at Gandrud Chevrolet
Our best tip for how to winterize a vehicle? Book a service at Gandrud Chevrolet and let us take care of things for you! Our technicians will check every aspect of your Chevy and make sure it's ready for the winter ahead — inspecting everything from tires and lights, to coolant levels and brake fluid.
When you've invested in a Chevy you've already bought one of the best automobile brands on the market, so make the most of it at Gandrud Chevrolet and feel the peace of mind that comes with being well prepared and ahead of the season!