Today’s cars are higher in quality, more durable, and more reliable than they were just a decade ago. Cars today can also run for hundreds of thousands of miles with regular maintenance, including during the cold and snowy winter months. However, to get the most out of your vehicle — whether it’s an exotic or a supercar like a Maserati, or something a little less performance-oriented — it’s essential that you know how to keep your car well-maintained during the Winter.
There are several general principles for winterizing your car. The expert service technicians at Mario Motorsports European Auto Repair & Service in Cedar Park, Texas, stand ready to help. They will go over your vehicle’s winterization needs with you whenever you’d like. For now, though, a quick review of those tips is in order. They include:
1. Have your car serviced for Winter BEFORE that season arrives.
For starters, have your mechanic check all of your car’s fluids, especially its coolant, and replace any of them with winter blends if they’re required.
2. Switch to winter tires.
Many exotic or high-performance automobiles come with summer-only tires. Summer tires don’t work well in colder temperatures and on cooler road surfaces. If you want to drive your 602 hp Audi RS8 in the Winter, have your mechanic install quality winter tires.
3. Maintain proper tire pressure by checking it frequently and then refilling it whenever needed.
According to many tire makers, every 10-degree drop in ambient temperature could mean a loss of at least 1 PSI. Underinflated tires are hazardous. Consult with your mechanic or review your vehicle owner’s manual for proper tire pressures.
4. Install new windshield wipers for winter weather.
Worn-out windshield wipers don’t work well at clearing away snow, road salt, and crud that ends up on your car’s windshield. Don’t take a chance on old wipers — or an empty washer fluid reservoir — during the winter months.
5. Keep your gas tank at least half full.
Keep more fuel in your car’s tank in the Winter than you would in warmer summer months. Colder temperatures can create water condensation in your gas tank, especially if there’s only a small amount of fuel in it. Water in your tank may also cause your car’s fuel lines to freeze up. Being stranded in the snow with no way to keep your automobile’s engine running for warmth won’t be enjoyable.
6. Assess your car’s operation at least weekly.
Winter is hard on any automobile, and it doesn’t matter if it’s a 630 hp Aston Martin DB11, a Bentley, or a Rolls Royce. If you suspect something is going wrong with your car, take it to your mechanic as soon as you can.
Winter is no time to skimp on maintenance when it comes to your performance or luxury automobile, or even your daily driver commuter car. Don’t forget to check with the experts at Mario Motorsports European Auto Repair & Service in Cedar Park for all your maintenance and repair needs. Call us today!
