How To Prepare Your Car For Winter

It is that time of the year again! The winter season is nearly upon us and it is important to be prepared for anything. The last thing you want is to find yourself stranded on the side of the road because you forgot to check the health of your car’s battery before the temperature dropped, and now you are stuck waiting for a toe truck when you could be relaxing at home. Before you get too worried about what could happen, follow these Wrench tips to ensure that you never end up in a situation that could have been avoided. If you are familiar with last year’s blog about getting your car ready for winter, you will be happy to hear that we are back with more tips! At Wrench, your safety is our top priority, which is why you should schedule an appointment with one of our ASE-certified mechanics today to get your car running like new before the weather takes a turn for the worse. If you are not sure how to best equip your car for the winter, stay tuned for Wrench’s helpful tips.

• Read the owner’s manual. This is the first thing you should do when attempting any kind of repair. Each car’s owner’s manual is different, but all have a detailed maintenance schedule that you should stick to. This is not some scam from the dealership that sold you the car but rather detailed instructions from the manufacturer about how to take care of your car. Make sure you are up to date on your regular maintenance and schedule an appointment with a Wrench mobile mechanic if you are not. It is especially important that you get the oil and filter changed if you are overdue because doing so is one of the best ways to protect the engine.
• Get new windshield wipers. This will come up in every Wrench blog about preparing your car for the wetter months, for good reason. It is one of the most important things you can do for your car because having the best possible visibility is critical. This is a cheap and easy repair that you can do yourself and should not be disregarded. If you have replaced your wipers somewhat recently but still want to make sure they are prepared for the winter, grab some window cleaner and give the blades a good scrub down. This will remove any dirt or debris that is building up and will improve their functionality. For everything you need to know about windshield wiper repair, click here.
• Inspect and wax your headlights. This is a quick and easy tip that can also significantly improve your visibility. First, you want to make sure that all of your headlights and taillights are working properly, especially as the hours of daylight shrink.  Next, give your headlights a good scrub down and then use car wax on top. This may seem unnecessary, but the wax will help prevent frost or icicles from building up on the headlights and can strengthen the light from the bulb.
• Check the battery health. In order to avoid a dead battery in the dead of night, like in the scenario above, check the health of your car’s battery now before it gets too cold. If you have an appointment with Wrench for a different repair, ask your mechanic to check the battery health, or schedule a diagnostic appointment where we can check to make sure everything is running smoothly. The mechanic will be able to tell you how much juice is left in your car’s battery and whether it makes sense to replace it now or wait a while. Our skilled technicians are able to do a full battery replacement if that ends up being the path you should take.
• Put together an emergency kit. In the unlikely event that you do find yourself with a dead battery or need to call for help, you do not want to be unprepared to sit in your car for a couple of hours if it comes to that. Make sure you have an emergency kit stashed in the trunk of your car with items such as blankets, water, snacks, a flashlight, and a portable charger. If you do not have jumper cables in your car, we recommend that you invest in some, whether it is to help you or someone else in a pinch.
• Check your fluids. Ensure that your engine coolant, wiper fluid, and oil levels are not going to run out in a month or two. Check your owner’s manual for how long the fluids should last or how often you should get the oil changed, but it is still a good idea to take a look under the hood in case there have been any leaks or issues.

We hope that you now feel better prepared to equip your car for the winter and prepare yourself for any weather conditions you may face. You should feel confident and safe in your car as we head into the wetter season, so schedule an appointment with Wrench today to put your mind at ease. Check out the Wrench blog for more tips to keep your car in great shape, such as how to make your car last or how to tell when your car needs service. 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.