Prepare Your Car for the Winter

We haven't seen much snow yet, but we are in the winter season! So we ask you...

Is your car ready for winter?

We've come across a great article to help you prepare your vehicle for the wintery wonderland ahead of us. The Philadelphia and Chester area are usually a hit or miss when it comes to snow and ice, but no matter where you live, preparing your car is very important! 

Here are some tips for you:

Check Your Tires
Have your tires checked and rotated for maximum performance. Make sure you have the right amount of air pressure for each tire to maintain better handling and better gas mileage. We do, however, recommend winter tires because they're made with special low temperature resilient rubber compounds and have deeper treads that grip the snow and iced roads. Also be sure to check that your spare tire has the right amount of air in it. You don't want to be stuck on the side of the road in the cold with a flat spare!

Protect The Interior
With snow comes ice. And with ice comes water. Prepare the floors of your car with proper floor mats. Replace the stock cloth mats with heavy duty rubber mats that can easily be cleaned come the Spring season . Don't forget about all the salt you'll be tracking in your car, as well. Protecting your carpets in the winter will keep your car looking clean and neat!

Maintain The Coolant System
Extreme temperatures and harsh conditions can knock out your coolant system if it's not up to standards. If any part of the system comes up with a shaky bill of health, swap the parts for new ones. That means having your car’s radiator pressure tested and the hoses examined for cracks or bulges. Most shops can quickly test radiators without the hassle of having to remove them from the vehicle.

If you can’t remember the last time your water pump was replaced, or if your pump has more miles on it than what the manufacturer recommends, it’s time for a new one. While everything is apart, go for a new thermostat as well because you’ll save money on labor getting these two done at once.

Even if everything comes up good to go under the hood, replacing your engine’s coolant is cheap insurance against extreme temperatures. Over time, antifreeze can actually generate a weak electrical current, which can then cause oxidation and eventually failure inside of your coolant system. You’ll want at least a 50/50 mix of antifreeze and water to provide protection against below-zero temperatures. Keeping everything fresh inside will put less stress on your vehicle’s hardware and save you serious money in the long run.

Stock Your Car
Stranded by the side of the road can be dangerous in the best of conditions, but when sub-zero temperatures or bad weather is involved, it can be downright deadly. Carrying these supplies may save your life:

- a blanket
- jumper cables
- a flashlight
- chains
- a first-aid kit
- a small knife
- flares
- a couple energy bars
- watergloves
- small shovel
- waterproof matches
- ice scraper
- a bag of sand or kitty litter to help provide traction if your car is stuck in the snow

A little preparation goes a long way to keep your car running smoothly during the winter months. Not only will the right tools and maintenance protect you and your car from the elements, but they will also keep you safe.

Let Murphy Ford take care of your winter needs! We serve the Chester, Philadelphia, and Delaware Valley area with service and repairs like no other! Call us at 610-494-8800 to schedule a service appointment. Or visit our website at www.murphy-cars.com 

Here is a link to the article for further reading: http://www.popsci.com/cars/article/2010-12/how-prepare-your-car-winer