PART 2

Living in Utah is a wonderful experience. The people here are nice, there is excellent food, and the scenery is gorgeous. However, as citizens of a state that gets all four seasons, Utahns know that the winters here can be quite harsh, especially on the cars that we drive. Getting your vehicle serviced and prepared for winter is part of what it takes to be a responsible car owner in this state. Although winterizing your vehicle might seem complicated, this 2-part series will help simplify the process by pointing out common issues that need to be addressed to get your car ready for the colder months.

Replace windshield wipers

As we stated in the previous entry of this series, visibility is always a crucial element of winter driving that must be considered. A large part of this is making sure that the blades on your windshield wipers are new and effective. Do some research about the correct size that your vehicle needs, or simply take it into a service technician and include it in your vehicle’s check up before winter. Along with this, it’s a good idea to replace your windshield wiper fluid before the first snowfall, as well as get your windshield repaired from any cracks, as the cooler temperatures will make them grow at a rapid rate.

Change the oil

The correct oil to use in your vehicle is likely going to change with the season. Generally, if a vehicle is using a 10W-30 during the warmer months, then you will want to try a lower density oil, such as 5W-30. If the oil in your engine is not right for the temperature, then it could mess with the level of lubrication that your engine needs to run, healthily.

Get a new battery

If you know anything about electrical storage, then you probably know that colder temperatures will reduce the capacity of a battery. Depending on when you last replaced your battery, it can be a good idea to do so before the winter season really kicks in. Car owners tend to need jumps in the winter, more than any other time of year, because of this exact reason. While you are replacing your battery, give your battery a quick check, as well, as this is a frequently neglected aspect of vehicle maintenance.