05 Feb WINTER CAR CARE TIPS

WINTER CAR CARE TIPS

PROVO CAR DOCTOR wants to keep you safe this winter

Last time we at Provo Car Doctors talked about How to Drive Safely in Winter Weather.  Now that you are more comfortable driving when snow blankets everything, let’s talk about How to Keep you Car Running During the Winter Cold.

Here are some critical tips to keep your car running when you need it:

• Maintain your Car Battery’s Health – Cold temperatures reduce your battery’s cranking power. It can only produce about ½ the cranking power at 0 degrees Fahrenheit as it does at 80 degrees.  The 1^st symptom is slow cranking.  When you try to start the car, you will hear the starter turning very slowly.  As the problem worsens, you will hear a clicking sound.  And worst case, when you turn the key – you hear nothing!  Do you need a battery, do you need a starter, do you need an alternator?  Before you experience these problems, bring your car into Provo Car Doctors and let us do a FREE CAR HEALTH CHECKUP.  We can test the entire starting system and tell you whether you just need to charge you battery or if you need a new battery, which we can supply, or if you need additional work on the electrical system to assure reliable starting.
• Keep your Windows Clear – Don’t risk the Health and Lives of both those in and out of your car. Take a minute and Completely Clear All of the Windows on the Car,  Front, Back, Sides and then Clean the snow off of the Hood and Top of the car.  Just the other day, I saw a car slow down on a very busy street and the Snow Slid from the top of the car onto the windshield.  The driver was in a severe state of panic trying to stop on a busy street and then pull over to the side of the road safely while the windshield was completely blocked!  Get one of those long-handled Snow Scraper that has a Brush at the other end.  It only takes an extra minute to make sure that you are able to safely control your car.
• Fill your Windshield Washer Reservoir with a winter blend wash solution that doesn’t freeze in expected temperatures. In addition to helping to keep the windshield free of light snow and rain, this solution can keep the windshield free of the Salt, Dirt and Mud that gets on your windows during winter driving.  This is part of our regular service whenever the Provo Car Doctor works on your car.
• Replace your Windshield Wipers – The rubber on the blades wears out with normal use and loses flexibility with change in the temperatures. It is recommended that windshield wipers should be changed every six months and no less frequently that once a year.  If you are getting streaks or hear squeaking sounds, you should probable replace the blades.  Provo Car Doctor has new and premium blades for your car in stock.
• Make sure your Heater is working properly – Problems can be with the fan, blockage in the cabin air filter, low anti-freeze in the Radiator, or blockage in the heat exchanger. As the weather cools, turn on the heater.  If  you notice that the heating system is slow to heat up or doesn’t get as hot as it should, have the system checked out.  One of the things that you can also do is to run the air conditioner with the temp set to warm.  This will dehumidify the air in the car, helping to keep the windshield from fogging over and it keeps the seals in the air conditioner system lubricated, so that it is more likely to work correctly next summer.  Provo Car Doctors will check it out with a FREE CAR HEALTH CHECKUP

Remember that the Provo Car Doctors will be glad to perform our FREE 25 POINT CAR HEALTH CHECKUP for you.  Don’t take chances with your car, call us to  make sure your car is running its best during these frigid winter months.

Safe Driving to you all – the Provo Car Doctors.          

CALL NOW:  (801) 373-2800