Important Winter Car Care Tips from an Auto Body Shop in Middletown, NJ

It’s hard to believe, but winter is closing in on us in a hurry, which means there are a number of chores you’ll need to get done so your home and vehicle are both prepared for the upcoming cold months. The cold, snow and ice of New Jersey winters can be quite rough on your car, as can the salt from roads on the body of your vehicle. For this reason, it’s important you take some steps to ensure your vehicle will remain in good condition all winter long and avoid some common types of seasonal damage.

With this in mind, here are a few important winter car care tips from our auto body shop in Middletown, NJ:

• Use winter tires: The vast majority of drivers do not swap out their regular tires for winter tires, but most auto professionals highly recommend you swap out for winter tires even if you don’t live in an area where you get a lot of snow. So long as the temperature routinely falls below 45 degrees Fahrenheit, you’re going to want to have winter tires on hand to provide you with better traction when you’re driving on top of cold pavement. This will ensure you can more reliably stop and turn your vehicle safely.
• Fill up your gas tank more frequently: During the winter months, you shouldn’t let your fuel levels get as low as you would when driving during the summer. This is especially true if you live or frequently drive in a relatively remote area. If you get stuck in the snow and need to wait for a rescue, or if you find yourself in an emergency situation, you’re going to want to have this extra gas available so you don’t have to sit by yourself in the freezing cold waiting for help to arrive. Plan out your gas stops in advance if you plan on taking a longer road trip during the winter.
• Frequently check your tire pressure: Many vehicles today have built-in alerts that go off if your tire pressure drops below a certain level, but even if your vehicle does have this functionality, it’s a good idea to check your tire pressure yourself on a weekly basis. As the weather gets colder, your tires will lose air pressure, and driving around with underinflated tires can result in premature wear and lost traction on slippery surfaces.
• Protect your wipers: If you park your vehicle outdoors, make sure you keep your wipers raised up to prevent them from freezing to the windshield. You should also avoid using your blades to remove snow, frost or ice from the windshield, because this could damage the rubber and result in wiper blades that do not clear moisture off the windshield reliably.

These are just a few tips that can help you keep your car safer and in better condition during the winter months. To learn more, or to schedule a service appointment, contact Lentz Auto Body or visit our auto body shop in Middletown, NJ.

Categorised in: Auto Body Shop

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