How To Prepare Your Car For Ski Season

Ski season is rapidly approaching, and it is important to be prepared! At Wrench, we know how exciting this time of year is and we want to do everything we can to help you have the best and safest possible experience. Your car should be in the best shape possible to handle any winter weather conditions that you may encounter. The last thing you want is to be stranded on the side of the road in the middle of a snowstorm, or find yourself in a situation where your car is not equipped to handle the weather. The best thing you can do for your car is to stay up-to-date on the maintenance schedule in the owner’s manual because this will ensure that you are not behind on any repairs. If you think that your car needs servicing, schedule an appointment with a Wrench mobile mechanic today. If you are unsure how to best prepare your car for your next ski trip, stay tuned for these great Wrench tips!

• Check your tires. This is perhaps the most important thing you can do when preparing for a ski trip because your tires should be in the best condition possible if you are going to be driving in snowy or icy conditions. The first thing to do is to check the treads of your tires. Shallow treads are a sign that it might be time to switch them out. For more information on how to tell when it is time for new tires, click here. When inspecting the treads, you also want to look for any slow leaks or cracks in the tires, because this could also cause issues down the road (pun intended). Additionally, make sure you have a functioning spare tire in the unfortunate case of a flat. Finally, check your tire pressure before the trip, and frequently throughout the winter because this fluctuates with temperature changes, to make sure your tires are properly inflated.
• Test your brakes. You do not want to find yourself in a position where you need to brake quickly coming down the mountain, only to find out that your brake pads are worn down and not behaving properly. One of our ASE-certified technicians would be happy to check your brakes before you hit the road.
• Get your oil changed. If you have stayed up-to-date on the maintenance schedule in your car’s owner’s manual, you would know how often to change the oil. This is one of the most neglected services but also one of the most important. Driving in the mountains can add extra stress to the engine, so topping off the oil or getting a full oil change is in your best interest.
• Top off all fluids. While you are checking the engine oil, it is a good idea to top off the other fluids as well, including the engine coolant, wiper fluid, and power steering fluid. These levels should be checked regularly, but especially before a trip when you know that you may use them.
• Stock up your emergency kit. It is always important to equip your car with supplies in the unlikely event that you find yourself on the side of the road waiting for help to come. A good emergency kit should include blankets, a flashlight, water, snacks, and a portable changer, to name a few. Worst case scenario, these items take up a bit of space in your trunk but could come in handy sometime and will be especially useful as the temperature drops.
• Get chains if you do not have them. Unless your car is properly equipped with winter tires, you will most likely want to have chains if you are driving somewhere that will get snowy. In some states, it is against the law to drive without chains for your own safety and the safety of other cars on the road, so do yourself a favor and stick some in the trunk.
• Test the defrost system. Visibility is crucial when driving in the snow, and anything that can hinder this is extremely dangerous. Any issues in the defrost or heating systems should be inspected by a mechanic immediately, so schedule an appointment with Wrench today and we will come out to your house to fix it, saving you the trouble of taking your car to the shop.
• Invest in floor liners. Tracking in ice and mud after a great day on the slopes can ruin the carpeting on the floor of your car. Floor liners are an easy way to and help keep the mess at bay and ensure that the flood of your car does not get destroyed.
  

We hope that you now have a good idea of how to get ready for your next ski adventure. Although you might be ready to hit the slopes right away, you will grateful that you took the time to prepare your car for the trip as well. By following these Wrench tips, your car will not only be prepared for the worst possible conditions, but also any winter weather that you may experience as we enter the colder months. Remember, if you sense any issues with your car, schedule an appointment with one of our Wrench mobile mechanics today to be on the safe side. Trust us, your car will thank you later. If you have any other questions about our services or using Wrench during a global pandemic, feel free to talk to our customer service team through email, at hello@wrench.com, or by phone, at 844-997-3624.