It’s 6:50AM, you’re supposed to be at work in 20 minutes, but you slept through all 13 alarms you set. You have to skip breakfast, coffee, and basically every minor joy mornings have to offer. You open the door to the garage and immediate regret sets in, which is a direct contrast to the emotion you felt last night when you offered the garage spot to your spouse. It’s now 6:57. You waddle down the icy driveway as your regret intensifies (because you never did trade your old car in for one with automatic start). You’ve made it to your car, which more appropriately might be named Mobile Igloo at this point, unlock your car doors, turn your keys, and say a prayer over that puttering sound. It starts. You sigh in relief. For a moment, you have hope that you’ll still make it in time for the meeting, but then you realize your washer fluid is out, or maybe just frozen inside, either way you’re stuck. It’s now 7:05 and you have no choice but stare at your breath and watch your windshield defrost.
Winterizing Your Ride
As Minnesotans, we know well what it’s like to be chilled to the bone. Well, our cars are the same way. When the weather drops, the battery, antifreeze, engine, wiper blades, cabin and air filter feel the freeze! Here are the facts, straight from our technicians:
- Keep your windshield clear and safe with new wiper blades
- Buy winter tires before the first snowfall
- Engine antifreeze should be replaced every 5 years or 80,000 miles
- Engine air filters affect your fuel economy and driving performance and should be replaced every 15,000 miles
- Batteries should be replaced on average every 3-5 years
- Cabin air filters affect your heating and air performance and should be replaced ever 15,000 miles.
We check and perform a full inspection on every vehicle we service at Apple Autos, which is why it’s not a bad idea to get in before the cold gets colder to make sure your vehicle is safe and fully prepared for brutal Minnesota winters.
First things first, one of the most important, yet looked-over steps to take before winter arrives is making sure you have the windshield wipers to match the weather, also known as winter blades. And when it comes to washer fluid, always carry more than you think you need (your 6:50AM self will thank you.)
Secondly, and more commonly observed in winter preparation is your tires. If driving on black ice was an Olympic sport, we’d all be gold medalists. We cannot stress the importance of winter tires enough. To prove their legitamacy, TireRack put together a video comparing all season to winter treads. Your tire tread impacts your acceleration, braking, turning, parking, everything! Winter tires are what are going to get you through that intersection.
Thirdly, preparing your engine starts with good oil. Your technician will know this. Thinner oil is your friend, unless you own a diesel. In addition, make sure you have the correct coolant. The coolant isn’t just to prevent overheating, but to keep the engine from corroding. Coolants should have the correct ration of antifreeze to water in it, which can actually lower the freezing level.
Another vital part to your engine’s function is a good battery. In the cold air, the battery capacity can decrease. Make sure it is all connected properly and the battery is in good working condition; if not, get it replaced so it is not weak. Your transmission is also an important part of the engine that can fail quickly, so make sure the fluid is filled to the proper level at all times during winter months depending on the suggested maintenance for your vehicle.
And lastly on the essentials list is your cabin air filter. If you don’t change your cabin air filter, it will become clogged with dirt and debris and the efficiency of the filter and your car’s HVAC system will be compromised. The air volume into your passenger compartment will be continually reduced which will lead to the issue of foul odors inside your car. Sounds lovely, doesn’t it? Ahh yes, there’s nothing like the scent of a dirty cabin filter to start your morning.
With all that to say, maintaining your vehicle in the Minnesota cold shouldn’t be a financial burden, which is why we at Apple Autos perform full complimentary inspections on top of your oil change or any other service to ensure you and your family are safe on the roads. Schedule your service appointment today at Apple Autos.
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