Michigan’s beautiful winter is upon us, and being prepared to travel slippery and snowy roads is important. But by being proactive when it comes to maintenance and safety, Michiganders can save a lot of money and headaches this winter. Here are 3 tips on how you can prepare your car for Michigan winters:
Change your wiper blades and refill your wiper fluid. All Michiganders have experienced the build-up from winter precipitation. This coupled with the salt on your windshield can greatly reduce visibility. Prepare for winter by checking your wiper blades and your wiper fluid. Remember, wiper blades are only good for a year. You can buy wiper blades designed for winter weather as well. And when you top off your wiper fluid, use a brand that has a lower freezing temperature to hold up thru Michigan’s notoriously cold winters,
Check your tires. Sliding on slippery roads or getting stuck in snow may be impossible to completely avoid in Michigan, but your tires can definitely make a difference. The best option is to swap out regular tires for snow tires. Snow tires are made of a softer rubber which allows them to retain flexibility in the bitterest of cold and have tread patterns specially designed to grip into snow and ice.
If you don’t want to spend the extra money to get snow tires, then you will want to be sure to check your tire pressure. Cold weather causes air pressure in your tires to drop. So, check your air pressure, and fill those tires up! A properly inflated tire will ensure the best possible contact between the road and the tires which is essential for safe traction when driving during a Michigan winter.
Check your battery. Cold weather is tough on your car’s battery, especially in Michigan where we can see temperatures below zero coupled with below zero wind-chills. The chemical reactions that are required in order to generate power in your car slow down in extremely cold temperatures. Additionally, during cold weather, your car’s engine requires more current from the battery in order to get started. These two issues combined could result in your car not starting. Avoid this problem by having a mechanic run a battery load test to see if you need to have your battery replaced. If your battery is good, the mechanic will also check for any corrosion on your posts and connections to ensure a clean start.
Preparing for driving in Michigan winters is easy and inexpensive, but will make a big difference in your driving experience. At Stroebel Automotive we are the safe driving provider for our customers. We look forward to servicing your car to give you dependable transportation.
Let Stroebel Automotive do a thorough winter check on your vehicle. Stop by or give us a call for an appointment. (989) 781-4307