Happy New Year from Tom’s Automotive in West Seattle! It’s been our privilege to serve your car needs this past year. We hope to see many familiar and new faces in the year to come.
At Tom’s Auto, it’s our job to keep your car running smoothly and safely. We hope you’ll join us in a New Year’s resolution for safe, efficient vehicles that keep us all safer on the roads and keep our planet clean. Winter car maintenance and snow prep are key to safety and efficiency this time of year. Let’s dive into how you can keep your car safe and efficient for 2025.
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Our New Year’s Resolution at Tom’s Automotive: Safe, Efficient Vehicles
Well-maintained vehicles perform better and are more reliable. Seemingly small oversights like insufficient oil or worn-out parts can lead to costly, sometimes catastrophic damages. When you take care of your car, it takes care of you. Similarly, routine maintenance keeps the engine running more efficiently, which means your vehicle uses less fuel and produces fewer fumes.
Car maintenance is crucial to your vehicle’s safety and sustainability. That’s why it’s our mission at Tom’s Automotive to provide top-quality service and expert advice that maximizes your car’s safety and efficiency–all year, every year. To start off 2025 right, let’s look at essential winter car maintenance tasks and how to prep for potential snow.
Winter Car Maintenance Checklist
Your vehicle needs regular care all year, but it deserves a little extra attention in the winter. Cold weather is tough on many components of a vehicle. It can compromise the performance and safety of some of those components if you don’t take the right precautions. Here are the four areas of your vehicle to pay special attention to this winter.
Battery
Cold temperatures take a toll on your car battery. It tends to drain more quickly in the cold, leaving you more susceptible to getting stranded with a dead battery. That makes it even more important to check the battery’s health regularly during the winter. We check your battery with every service at Tom’s Automotive. Slow cranking, where the vehicle takes longer than usual to turn on, may indicate a dying battery.
Tires
Tire pressure tends to decrease as temperatures get colder. Since keeping your tires properly inflated is essential for good traction, you need to check the pressure more frequently in the winter and add air as needed.
Quality tires with sufficient tread depth are also a must for wet or slippery roads. Seattle’s mild winters don’t typically necessitate winter tires, but you still need to have regular tire rotations and replace the tires once the tread wears below 3/32”.
Fluids
Engine oil and coolant are critical all year, but even more so in the winter. They keep the engine running smoothly and regulate temperatures. If the weather gets too cold, engine oil can thicken, and coolant can freeze. Make sure you’re using quality fluids and keeping them topped off. You should check your oil and coolant at least monthly. We’ll inspect all your vehicle fluids whenever you bring the car in for service.
Visibility
Visibility is often lower when driving in winter. The days are shorter and darker, and here in Seattle, we have frequent rain and fog this time of year. That makes it extra important to check and maintain the components of your car that give you clear visibility. Make sure your windshield wipers and defroster are working properly to clear away rain and snow. Check the headlights and taillights regularly, and always brush away snow before driving.
Preparing for Snow: What to Have in Your Vehicle
We don’t get frequent or heavy snow in Seattle, but it still strikes occasionally. It’s best to stay prepared for snow this time of year. If you haven’t put snow gear in your car yet, now’s the time.
Snow Equipment: Keep an ice scraper and brush in your vehicle to clear your windows. You may want to keep a shovel in the trunk, too, in case your vehicle gets stuck and you need to shovel out around the tires. If you’ll be driving into the mountains, consider tire chains and a bag of sand to use for additional traction.
Cold Weather Gear: Always keep a coat, hat, and gloves in your car if there’s harsh weather on the horizon. You may want to include a pair of snow boots, warm socks, and snow pants, too.
Emergency Supplies: It’s always a good idea to have some emergency supplies in your vehicle in case you get stranded somewhere, especially in the winter. Pack some non-perishable food and water bottles. You can also include things like blankets, flashlights, lighters, and a first aid kit.
Let’s Keep Your Car Safe & Efficient for 2025
Tom’s Automotive is proud to be your local auto shop in West Seattle, serving all your car needs. As we start off the new year, let’s all do our part to keep our roads safe and our vehicles efficient. Proper winter car maintenance and prep go a long way to protect you on the road.
If your battery, fluids, or tires need some care, request an appointment at Tom’s Auto today. Cheers to a New Year and safe cars!