Always Switch to Winter Tires
Any Green Bay resident with tenure understands the importance of having a set of
reliable winter tires for Green Bay's blistering winters. Winter or snow tires are specially formulated to deliver excellent performance in icy and snowy conditions. These tires are made of special rubber that will remain soft and pliable even in freezing temperatures. At the same time, these tires have special treads and slits designed to safely channel ice, slush, and snow away from your vehicle. In the end, snow tires are critical in helping ensure you maintain traction and control.
Proactively Service & Test Your Battery
When temperatures drop, it becomes noticeably more difficult for your battery to perform. This is because most batteries work through an electrochemical reaction that sends power signals to your battery terminals. The chemical reaction slows in colder weather, which weakens the power of your battery. If your battery is already near the end of its life, the cold weather can render it useless. The best proactive solution is to perform a voltage test on your battery to ensure it has enough juice to get you through the winter.
Check Your Antifreeze
Your vehicle relies on a number of different fluids to properly function, such as oil, brake fluid, and power steering fluid. One of the most important fluids during the winter is your engine coolant or antifreeze. As the name suggests, the antifreeze stops your engine's cooling system from freezing during Green Bay's winters. This is accomplished by lowering the freezing point of water. Coolant is pumped throughout your engine block to protect it and help maintain an even temperature. You should also make sure your gas tank is at least half full at all times because it can reduce condensation.
Maintain Optimum Tire Pressure
Fluctuations in the ambient temperature can have a negative impact on your tire pressure. In fact, every 10-degree drop can result in a loss of one to two pounds of pressure. Contrary to popular belief, this has nothing to do with your tires losing air. Instead, it's because the air inside the tire condenses. When this occurs, it takes up less space in the tire, which can cause your tire pressure to drop. Fortunately, adding air to your tire is easy and straightforward. Make sure to keep a tire pressure gauge handy and always know where to find the best tire pressure, such as the inside of the driver's door.
Install Winter Wipers
The frigid winter temperatures of Green Bay can wreak havoc on the standard pair of windshield wipers. To prevent this, it's best to install a pair of winter wipers. These wipers are equipped with special rubber that prevents ice
from accumulating on the blades. While perfect for the winter, make sure to remove these wiper blades when spring rolls around. Winter wipers are noticeably heavier than standard wiper blades, and keeping them on year-round can increase the load on your wiper motor.
Inspect & Check Your Lights
The days are much shorter in the winter months, which means you're more likely to drive in the dark. As such, you should ensure all of your vehicle's exterior lights are in the best possible shape. If a light bulb has blown out, make sure to replace it. And if your lights are yellow-looking or foggy, you should schedule a professional cleaning to bolster your visibility. In addition, make sure to clear ice or snow off your lights before hitting the road.
Use Winter Windshield Wiper Fluid
As you know, winters in Green Bay always include snow, sleet, ice, and road salt. These conditions underscore the importance of your windshield wiper fluid. However, when temperatures fall below freezing, the standard wiper fluid can freeze in the reservoir, which can cause expensive damage to your wiper pump.
Standard windshield wiper fluid can also freeze directly on your windshield, obscuring your visibility and creating unsafe driving conditions. The best solution is to use winter windshield wiper fluid. This fluid boasts a higher concentration of methyl alcohol than normal fluid, which helps it achieve an extremely low freezing point. It will not freeze on your windshield or reservoir.
Contact Gandrud Chevrolet for Winter Maintenance & Auto Repair
At Gandrud Chevrolet, we are your one-stop shop for preventative maintenance, auto repair, and factory-scheduled maintenance. While we specialize in Chevrolet vehicles, we have the tools and expertise to work on most vehicles. Don't hesitate to reach out to the
experts at Gandrud Chevrolet for your automotive service and repair needs!
Contact us today!