Seasonal Preparation: Winterizing Your Honda

There are certain forms of maintenance you need to help your vehicle prepare for each season. When it comes to Honda winter prep, your focus should be on switching to winter tires, making sure the battery is working, and checking that wear and tear parts are in good enough condition to last throughout the cold months.

Fit Winter Tires 

Summer and all-season tires aren’t made to withstand temperatures below the mid-40s, but winters tend to be in the mid-30s to mid-40s in Longview. You need to switch to winter tires instead, as these are made to remain supple enough to provide lots of traction in cold weather. Summer and all-season tires are made of a type of rubber that hardens and loses traction in winter.

You also need to think about the snow. Even though snowfall only tends to be in the 1 to 2-inch range, snow can make a big difference to how your car handles if you don’t have the right tires. Winter tires are designed with deep tread and lots of sipes to help you cling to ice and easily drive through the snow.

Check Your Battery

As winter approaches, make sure you get your battery’s health fully checked. Get a battery load test, get a voltage test, and have the acid levels in your battery checked. If there’s anything wrong with your battery that could compromise its performance, then make sure you replace it before winter. It takes more power to get your vehicle started in winter, and a battery that’s not in the best condition may not be able to handle the extra burden.

Inspect Your Belts and Hoses

Your belts and hoses should be inspected regularly for signs of wear and tear, such as cracking and fraying. They’re even more susceptible to this wear and tear in winter, so if these components are worn out in any way, then it’s best to replace them before winter hits. You don’t want the cold to get to an already worn belt and make it snap or become loose.

Check Your Heater

Having a fully functional heater isn’t just important for your comfort; you also need it for visibility. The heater and defroster need to be able to keep ice off the windows and stop them from fogging up so you can still see the road clearly during the winter months.

Change Your Oil

If you haven’t gotten an oil change in a while, then do so before winter. Cold weather can thicken your oil and make it harder for it to cycle through your engine, compromising your engine’s performance.

Looking for somewhere to get your car ready for winter? Stop by Stirling Honda in Longview, WA for the best care for your car.

Posted in Honda Seasonal Preparation, Longview Honda Service | No Comments »