Make Sure Your Cars Ready For Winter in Venice Florida

Make Sure Your Cars Ready For Winter in Venice Florida

Check your battery The battery is often the first thing to go when the cold weather hits. Venice Florida sees a lot of variation in temperature throughout the year, so it's important to make sure your car's battery is up to the task of starting your engine in cold weather. Here are a few things to keep in mind when it comes to your car's battery.

Check the terminals for corrosion One of the most commonly overlooked maintenance items on a vehicle is the battery. Batteries don't last forever, and cold weather can shorten their lifespan. That's why it's important to check your battery before winter sets in. Corrosion on the terminals is one of the most common problems with batteries. If you see any corrosion, clean it off with a wire brush or a battery terminal cleaner. Once you've done that, apply a thin layer of petroleum jelly to help protect the terminals from further corrosion.

Check the fluid level The fluid levels in your car are important to keep an eye on, especially in the winter months. Check the level of your anti-freeze and make sure it is at the correct level. It is also a good idea to check your oil level and top it off if necessary.

Check your antifreeze Checking your antifreeze is important to do before the cold weather hits. You don't want your car to freeze up on you in the middle of winter. Make sure you have a 50/50 mixture of water and antifreeze in your car. You can check your antifreeze level by opening the hood and looking at the overflow tank.

Check the level The heart of any car's cooling system is the antifreeze. Not only does it help keep the engine from freezing in winter, it also raises the boiling point of water, keeping the cooling system from overheating in summer. That's why it's important to check your antifreeze level regularly and top it off if necessary. Most cars have a plastic overflow bottle under the hood that makes it easy to see the level. Just unscrew the cap and peek inside. If you're low, add enough antifreeze to bring it up to the "full" line.

Check the condition If your coolant is dirty or if you don't have enough, it won't be as effective at keeping your engine cool in the hot summer months. An easy way to check the condition of your coolant is to look at it. If it's clear or light green, it's probably in good condition. If it's rusty or brown, it needs to be replaced. To check the level, find the coolant overflow tank under the hood and remove the cap. The coolant should be at or just below the "full" line on the side of the tank. If it's not, add enough of the correct type of coolant to bring it up to that line

Check your wiper blades Wiper blades are one of the most important safety features on your car.

Check for cracks or splits in the rubber If you see any cracks or splits in the rubber, it's time to replace your blades. Cracks can allow moisture to enter the blade, which will cause it to freeze to your windshield in cold weather. Even if there are no cracks, split rubber can leave streaks on your windshield.

Check for fraying or wear If you see fraying or cracks, it’s time to replace them. Worn out blades will not stretch across your windshield evenly, so they won’t remove all the water and will often streak. Even if they don’t appear damaged, rubber blades older than a year or two can harden and crack in low temperatures.

Check your tires One of the most important things you can do to prepare your car for winter is to check your tires. Tires are the only part of your car that touch the road, so it's important to make sure they are in good condition. You should check your tire pressure and tread depth regularly.

Check the tread depth One of the most important things you can do to prepare your car for winter is to check the tread depth on your tires. Tires with shallow tread depths will not grip the road as well as those with deeper treads, and this can be extremely dangerous in winter weather conditions. You can check the tread depth on your tires by inserting a quarter into the tread. If you can see the top of George Washington's head, your tread depth is too shallow and you need new tires.

Check the pressure One of the most important things you can do to prepare your car for winter is to check the pressure in your tires. Cold weather causes the air in your tires to contract, which means that they will lose some pressure. If your tires are already low on pressure, they will lose even more. This can have a negative effect on your gas mileage and handling, and it can also lead to a blowout. To avoid this, make sure to check your tire pressure at least once a month, and consider investing in a tire pressure gauge. Many gas stations have air pumps that you can use for free or for a small fee, so you don't necessarily need to buy an air compressor. Just make sure that you check the pressure when the tires are cold - that is, before you've driven them for more than a couple of miles.

Check your lights Driving in the dark during the winter can be dangerous enough, but when you factor in rain, sleet, and snow, it can be downright treacherous. The last thing you want is to get stranded on the side of the road because you can't see where you're going. That's why it's important to make sure your car's lights are in good working order before the winter season hits.

Check the headlights One of the most important maintenance items on your car is making sure the headlights are in proper working order. Venice Florida sees a lot of rain, and sometimes even hail, so it's important to make sure your headlight lenses are free of cracks and that the bulbs are properly sealed. If you have any cracks in your headlight lenses, water can get in and degrade the plastic, causing further cracking and eventually leading to complete failure of the lens. It's also important to make sure that the bulbs are properly sealed. If they're not, moisture can get in and cause the bulbs to corrode. Here at Gibsons Auto Care, we can check your headlights for you and make sure they're in proper working order. We can also replace any cracked lenses or corroded bulbs. Come see us today and let us help you keep your car safe on the roads this winter!

Check the taillights Your car's taillights are vital for allowing the drivers behind you to see your vehicle in low-light conditions and in dense traffic. You should check your taillights every few weeks to ensure that they are clean and free of any debris. If one of your taillights is not working, you should replace it as soon as possible.

Check the brake lights Brake lights are one of the most important safety features on your car. Not only do they let the driver behind you know when you’re slowing down, but they also illuminate your taillights, making your car more visible at night. If your brake lights are out, it’s an easy fix—just replace the bulbs. But if they’re dim, it could be a sign of a bigger problem, like a faulty Brake Light Switch or weakened wires.

Check the turn signals Most people forget to check their turn signal lights until they get pulled over, but you can avoid that by checking them before winter. In addition to making sure your turn signals are working, make sure all your other lights are as well. It's not just the law- it's for your safety!