With twinkling lights everywhere, jingle bell tunes in every store, Santa at the mall, and eggnog on the shelves–it’s officially Christmas time! We hope you’re enjoying the festivities and have a bright, merry Christmas ahead of you.
For many, the holiday season involves a winter road trip to visit friends or family. And just as you prepare for Christmas with shopping and decorating, your car needs some prep for long trips, especially in cold weather. Let’s explore essential car maintenance to get done before a trip and some winter driving tips to keep you safe on snowy roads.
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Traveling for Christmas? Treat Your Vehicle to Some Holiday Car Maintenance
Deck the halls, ring the bells, and don’t forget to prep the car, too. A road trip any time of year is a good reason to bring your car into the shop and make sure everything is in optimal condition, but it’s even more important during the winter. That’s because cold temperatures are harsh on many of your vehicle’s components, and conversely, some of those components become even more crucial for safety on slippery roads.
Even if you’re not traveling for the holidays, it’s best to schedule some winter car maintenance so your vehicle is ready for any harsh weather Seattle throws at us. Tom’s Auto can get your car in top shape for winter driving with a safety check and some routine maintenance. The three main areas to focus on for winter car maintenance are tires, fluids, and systems that are affected by the cold, like the battery.
Road-Ready Tires
We probably don’t need to tell you that, as your contact with the road, tires are essential to safe driving, especially in winter conditions. Even if we don’t get much snow in the Seattle area, we do have a lot of rain in the winter. Both wet and icy roads require high-quality, well-maintained tires for safe handling.
Winter tires probably aren’t necessary if your vehicle stays in Seattle all year. But if you’re taking a road trip across the country for Christmas, you might want to switch to winter tires for the icy conditions you might encounter in other states. Even if you don’t need winter tires, you need adequate tread depth. This is what gives your tires traction and helps move water to keep the tires gripping the road when it’s wet. To keep your tires wearing evenly, you should be getting your tires rotated regularly. As soon as tread depth is approaching 4/32”, it’s time to start shopping for new tires and replace them before they are at 2/32”.
Tire pressure is particularly important to keep in mind during the winter. Cold weather lowers tire pressure, often significantly. It’s a myth that underinflated tires handle better on slippery roads–keep your tires properly inflated all year. You’ll want to check the tire pressure regularly during the winter and air up your tires as often as needed.
Lights and Wipers
Winter often compromises visibility. The days are shorter, so you spend more time driving in the dark. Here in Seattle, there’s also frequent fog and rain. Before you hit the highway, make sure your lights are clean and bright, and your windshield wipers are up for the task of keeping your path clear. Remember, living in an area like Seattle, you should probably replace your wipers every few months.
Topped-Off Fluids
Several fluids are critical to your vehicle at any time of year. But some of them are even more essential, and more vulnerable, during the winter. Coolant protects your engine from freezing and cracking. If your coolant contains too much water, it can freeze–and you definitely don’t want that. Engine oil can also thicken in cold temperatures, making it less effective.
So, for starters, you should always check your vehicle fluids and top them off before a road trip. In the winter, you should also consider switching to winter-grade fluids, especially if you’ll be traveling somewhere with extreme temperatures. Our technicians can offer guidance on what fluids your car needs and if they need to be changed for winter.
Prepped for the Cold
Another part of your car that suffers in the cold is the battery. Your battery may drain more quickly and not hold a charge as long in the cold. A dead car battery is inconvenient and sometimes dangerous any time of year, but especially on a road trip in the winter–so get your battery checked before traveling for Christmas.
While you might not think of your AC as important for a winter road trip, it’s actually part of your defroster system. Your defroster and heater deserve an inspection before a winter road trip. Trust us, you’ll be glad they’re working if you’re driving somewhere in the Midwest with below-zero temperatures for the holidays.
Winter Driving Trips for Wherever the Road Takes You
One of the best things you can do for a safe winter trip is to check off car maintenance beforehand so your vehicle is ready for the road. But if you do find yourself on snowy roads, you’ll need to take special care in your driving techniques, too. A reminder on winter driving tips never hurts to make sure you’re ready for a white Christmas.
Drive Slow and Smooth
The first key to safe winter driving is keeping it slow and smooth. Driving slower gives you more control over the vehicle and more time to react to hazards on the road. You should also accelerate or brake slowly and smoothly to avoid your tires spinning out or sliding.
The second key is increasing your following distance. On slippery roads, it takes you longer to slow down or stop. You need significantly more space between you and other vehicles to avoid fender-benders.
Pack an Emergency Kit
Sometimes, things go wrong no matter how carefully we drive or how well we prepare our vehicles, especially in extreme weather conditions. Pack some emergency supplies in your car for winter road trips. Have some food, water, and warm clothing in case you end up stranded. Consider including a cellphone charger, flashlight, ice scraper, and snow shovel, too.
Request Car Maintenance at Tom’s Auto Before the Holiday!
We’re wishing everyone a safe, happy holiday, whether you celebrate here in beautiful West Seattle or far away with family. If you’ll be traveling for Christmas, now’s the time to request an appointment for car maintenance and a safety inspection to make sure your car is road-ready. Merry Christmas from all of us at Tom’s Automotive!