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Winter Vehicle Checklist

Do you know what the top parts of your car to fail or go bad during the winter months are? Follow our helpful checklist for effective cold weather vehicle maintenance.

• It's important to check the health of your battery. Did you know that battery health and life is affected by cold temperatures? As I'm writing this, I remember last winter when we experienced a polar vortex here in the Mid-Atlantic, and my car battery died. This is because the colder the temperatures outside, the more power is needed to start your vehicle. It's always a good idea to check on your vehicle's battery level whenever you bring it in to your local mechanic, but it's especially important to do this during the winter.
• What's the weird squealing noise? Belts, spark plugs, and hoses have a tendency to go bad during the winter. With belts especially, colder weather is harsh on these auto parts. This is because belts and hoses are made out of rubber. If you're a science nerd at all, then you know that rubber hardens when exposed to cold.
• Check your brakes. In the event of a snow storm, proper stopping power is important. While the cold doesn't affect brakes, it certainly does affect the weather.
• Speaking of stopping power, when was the last time you checked your tires? If your tire tread is looking a bit worn out, or cracks have started to appear in the sidewalls, it may be time to purchase new tires. Buying new tires can be confusing. There's a helpful tire buying guide in our blog section that may help.
• Consider your cooling system. This is especially important if you live in an area with extreme cold. You will want to make sure that your vehicle has plenty of Antifreeze. Antifreeze is crucial in preventing freezing and corrosion in your vehicle's engine. When antifreeze wears out, the additive separates from the water content, which makes it easier to freeze, and also can clog the radiator.  It's super important to service an engine cooling system every 30,000 miles or 3 years.  There is definitely a shelf life for antifreeze.

• When was the last time you changed your wiper blades? Wiper blades often get overlooked, and too many of us just deal with streak marks across our windshields. In the event of a snowstorm, you’ll want to have wiper blades that work properly.

Ask your local technician!

At Aspen Hill Exxon, we are always happy to advise our customers on the best methods for their vehicle, budget, and amount that they drive. We are located in Silver Spring, Maryland, and are within a short driving distance from Olney, Rockville, Potomac, and Gaithersburg. Give us a call to schedule your next auto repair!