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At John's Auto Care, we don't want our customers caught unprepared with the change of the season. Before you know it, temperatures will drop, snow will fall, and winter will be in Syracuse whether you're ready or not. While you're adding hot cocoa to the shopping cart, putting up your decorations, and taking out your winter clothes, don't forget to prep your vehicle for winter, too!

Winter posses challenges for your vehicle, so we recommend taking steps to winterize your car before you find yourself grumbling about going outside on a frigid morning to bring your vehicle in for a winter check up.

Winter Services for Cars

We perform winter car services to help our customers prep their vehicles for this time of year. We love seeing proactive drivers in Syracuse. By getting your car ready for winter, you can prevent issues from arising that would leave you (and any passengers) in a difficult position otherwise while having peace of mind on the road.

Here are some winter car maintenance items you should have checked:

Antifreeze Levels: Antifreeze helps prevent your engine from freezing in sub-zero temperatures. It's important to have the right mixture of antifreeze and water in a vehicle (known as coolant when mixed) to reduce the chance of freezing while ensuring the coolant if still effective at carrying heat. Too much water can also lead to corrosion. Ensure your antifreeze levels are appropriate for winter conditions to prevent costly engine damage.

Battery & Ignition System: Batteries lose charge in cold weather, especially if a vehicle sits for a longer period of time unused. If you are running an old car battery, now is the time to replace it. If you have a newer battery, you should be good but can help your battery and vehicle by going for a drive once in a while even if you don't need to go anywhere, safe weather permitting. Similarly, you want to check your ignition system to make sure it's reliable in frigid temperatures.

Brakes: Responsive brakes are important, especially in winter where you might run across other vehicles slipping and sliding forward. Have your brakes inspected to ensure they're in excellent working order to prevent skidding and accidents.

Exhaust System: The exhaust system is located in a rather precarious area; it's close to the road, susceptible to snow and ice buildup, as well as salt that is placed on the roads to make them safer. All this moisture and salt can cause corrosion and leaks. Have your exhaust checked to ensure it's still in great shape after previous winters and that it looks good for the start of this year's season.

Fuel & Air Filters: Winter car maintenance is a great time to check and replace you oil and air filters. A clean fuel filter will improve fuel efficiency and engine performance, while a clean air filter will allow more warm air to reach you and circulate around your vehicle when you have the heat on while driving.

Heater & Defroster: Staying warm is crucial when you're driving in winter. Make sure your car heater and defroster work (and work well) to maintain comfort, and most importantly, visibility. No one wants to be caught with a climate control system or a heating and air conditioning system that doesn't work.

Lights (Including Flashing Hazard Lights): With fewer daylight hours, you need good lights that illuminate the road and let other drivers and pedestrians notice you. You want to check that all car lights, including the hazard lights, are working correctly.

Oil & Thermostat: Car winterization should include switching to a winter-grade oil that is formulated for colder temperatures. You should also have your vehicle's thermostat checked to ensure you will be driving with the right engine temperature. The car thermostat monitors the temperature of the coolant, which carries heat away from the engine, to regulate its flow so that the engine continues to operate within its correct temperature range.

Windshield Wipers & Washer Fluid: Visibility is incredibly important, and in winter, you're contending with both inclement weather and early nights. Replace worn wipers that leave streaks and are less effective with new wiper blades that are effective at clearing snow and sleet to keep your windshield clear, and use winter-rated washer fluid to prevent freezing on your windshield.

Winter Tires: Last but not least, swap to winter tires. These tires provide better traction in snow and hold pressure better in cold temperatures than off-season tires. Having a set of winter tires installed can be a game-changer for your driving experience.

Winter can be unpredictable, and it's better to be over-prepared than caught off guard. Routine maintenance and a thorough car winterization service in Syracuse, New York at John's Auto Care can make all the difference in relation to safety and vehicle reliability.

Don't wait until the first snowfall – schedule your winter checkup service today, and enjoy worry-free winter driving tomorrow!