The Importance Of Winterizing Your Vehicle

If you are a newcomer to the Boise area, welcome! You may not have spent the Winter in Treasure Valley yet, so we thought it would be wise to share helpful information about the importance of winterizing your vehicle.

If you are used to living in the snow, you may decide to skip this particular blog article. However, if it has been a while since you’ve dealt with freezing temperatures, snow tires, rusty brake lines from the salt, and winter driving hazards, keep reading. 

Winter tires:

All-weather tires are good for most of the year, but during Winter, it’s smarter to have Winter tires. Winter tires are designed with extra traction to handle icy, slippery roads. In Idaho, this means you’ll have two sets of tires for your vehicle:  Winter and All-weather. Most people store their tires in their garage, but if you need recommendations, the Dowdy’s Automotive team will be happy to offer some advice.

Oil change service:

Your vehicle needs oil change service on a regular basis, of course. But during Winter, you may want an oil that has lower viscosity and performs well in the colder months. This winter-recommended oil will help your engine perform better when temperatures drop.

Visibility:

You want to make sure you can see out of your windows at all times. Be sure to carry an ice scraper and brush in your vehicle so you can remove snow and ice. Get new windshield wiper blades and winterized washer fluid so you can see through your windshield clearly as you drive. Don’t risk losing visibility or you could increase your chances of getting into an accident.

Battery:

All your mobile devices can drain your battery. Your battery can also lose power if you don’t drive your car on a regular basis. Be sure your car’s battery is in good condition, doesn’t show signs of erosion, and is likely to get you through the entire Winter season.

Take your time:

Many California drivers, for example, are not used to driving in snow. Winter driving conditions will lengthen your commute time, so be sure to leave plenty of time to arrive at your destination safely. The last thing you want to do is rush around on slippery, icy roads.

Pack an emergency kit:

Stock your family and work vehicles with an emergency kit. Carry extra water, snacks, gloves, a shovel, a blanket, a first aid kit, and other helpful items just in case you get stranded during a storm. You don’t want to run the risk of getting caught off guard during Winter.

Practice driving on snow and ice:

Again, if you’re familiar with Winter driving conditions, you may not need this tutorial. However, if your Winter driving skills are a bit rusty, here’s a helpful video that can help keep you and your passengers out of danger.  

Got questions? We invite you to contact our auto repair team at any of our five Treasure Valley locations. Our goal is to be your convenient, neighborhood shop, where you know you’ll be treated with kindness and respect. That is why we have gone out of our way to offer a touchless auto repair experience so you can feel a little safer when getting your car serviced. Please be sure to schedule a service appointment if you desire our team to happily pick-up and deliver your vehicle.

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