Get Your Vehicle Ready for Winter

Battery Test and Inspection

Cold weather affects your battery in a negative manner, which causes the battery to die. It has a reduced capacity to store current that is needed for starting your engine. At 32 degrees Fahrenheit, your battery capacity is lowered by 20 percent and at -22 degrees, it drops by 50 percent. It's best to get your battery tested and inspected when getting your car ready for winter so that you will have enough cranking amps throughout the winter to start your car.

Windshield Crack and Chip Inspection

When you have a tiny crack or a chip in your windshield in the winter, moisture can leak into the crack or chip. During cold temperatures, the water in the crack or chip will freeze and expand. This will put more stress on your windshield and cause the cracks to spread to the point of needing an entirely new windshield. If a small chip or crack is detected, it can be repaired before winter's cold winds arise.

Check Wiper Blades

Having new wiper blades before winter in a cold climate is a regularly scheduled maintenance task. As part of your winter car care, your wiper blades should be able to clear your windshield from snow and rain and make good contact with the windshield. Otherwise, you risk not having good vision, which can lead to an accident.

Change Washer Fluid to Winter Blend

The winter windshield washer fluid has more alcohol in it than the summer fluid which aids to melt light ice and snow quickly from your window, allowing you to drive safely. If you were to put only water in your reservoir, it would freeze on the windshield and build up so thick that you couldn't see to drive. The best winter formula to choose is one with the coldest temperature listed on the label, such as -35 degrees.

Tire Inspection and Change to Snow Tires if Needed

Your tires are the only thing between you and the road and as such, are a safety factor in your vehicle. In the winter, tires with 1/2 of the tread depth left can be a hazard because they will not grip the road covered in ice or snow. Your tires should also be inflated to the correct amount of pounds per square inch of air. If you are changing to your winter tires, when you winterize your car, the tread depth and inflation need to be checked at that time.

Brake Inspection

You should definitely have a brake inspection before winter no matter which state you live in. You may have some minor brake parts that are beginning to wear that need replacing and you aren't aware of it. It's better to have any repairs done before you step on the brakes and end up skidding into another car.

HVAC Inspection

Your Toyota should have the entire HVAC system inspection prior to the winter months. A certified technician will check your heater and defroster to ensure visibility out of your windshield. He will also inspect your seat warmers and steering wheel warmers to make certain that you will be comfortable while driving in the winter weather.

Check/Replace Engine Coolant and Antifreeze

Your engine coolant or antifreeze is important, especially in winter. It keeps your engine block from freezing and bursting, which would be a costly repair. A technician will check your antifreeze color and replace it if it's needed or add to it if it isn't' full. They will also check the temperature at which it reaches its freezing point and replaces your antifreeze if necessary.