As the cold weather starts to settle in, it is time to winterize your car and take the necessary steps to get your car ready for winter. Our team of certified technicians has put together a list of things you should check or have a professional at Oxmoor Mazda inspect. As the weather changes, the more urgent it is to get your vehicle inspected and prepared for this winter season. Come to Oxmoor Mazda, serving Lyndon, St. Matthews, Jeffersontown, and Middletown, KY.
Before the ice and snow touches down, you want to ensure that you have enough tread and pressure in your tires. If your roads hold ice for days at a time, you may want to invest in snow tires so that you have the grip you need to drive safely this winter.
Give your battery a quick test to make sure that it has enough power to get you through the winter. One of the scariest things you can experience is a dead battery on a cold road. A quick test can see if it is in good condition, and if not, you can get it changed out at Oxmoor Mazda, where we stock our parts department with OEM batteries to ensure they will last and function exactly like when you drove your Mazda off the lot.
How much padding do you have on your brake pads? Are your rotors squealing when you turn or slow down? A brake inspection will check this system to see if you need any changes and if so, we will make the necessary replacements so you can stop safely this winter.
Fresh wiper blades are essential for areas with lots of winter weather. If you have not changed your wiper blades lately, go ahead and have them replaced. This will ensure you have good visibility to get you to your destination.
While you are changing your wiper blades, the washer fluid needs to be flushed and changed to a winter blend so that you can break up the ice on your windshield and keep it from scratching.
Anything that releases heat in your Mazda needs to be checked and make sure everything is working properly before the weather gets too cold. The Heater and defroster are important to keep your vehicle running well, but you should also get your seat and steering wheel warmers checked to have the most comfortable winter drive.
Keep your engine from locking up and freezing over when you add antifreeze and coolant. Sometimes these fluids get low throughout the summer, and it is easy to forget until your engine is too cold to turn over.
Do you have any cracks or chips on your windshield? If you do and they are not corrected, the cold weather can cause a big crack and may cause bigger problems at a worse time.
When you are traveling this winter, you need a winter roadside kit in case you get stranded and have to wait for help. Items like flashlights, hand warmers, and blankets are all essential to keep you warm. Also, keep bottled water and non-perishable snacks in case it is a long wait.
