Winterizing Your Vehicle: A Guide to Preventative Maintenance In Seattle
Preventative Maintenance For Seattle’s Roads
If you live in Seattle, you know that the winter months bring heavy rains and sometimes even snow. That’s why it’s important to ensure you winterize your vehicle before the wet weather hits.
Thankfully, you can do a few simple things to help ensure your car or truck is up for the challenge. This blog post will look at some of the most important preventative maintenance steps you can take to winterize your vehicle for Seattle’s rainy conditions.
Check Your Tires
One of the most important things you can do to prepare your vehicle for rain and snow is to ensure your tires are in good condition. This means having enough tread depth to provide traction on wet roads and adequately inflated to help improve fuel efficiency.
If you’re unsure if your tires are up to par, swing by High Road Automotive, and we’ll help you with them. We’ll tell you if you need new tires or if your existing ones need a little TLC.
Prepare Your Windshield Wipers
Your windshield wipers play a crucial role in helping you see while driving in inclement weather, especially in Seattle’s rainy conditions. So, it’s important to ensure they function properly before the rains begin.
First, check the rubber blade inserts themselves for any cracking, fraying, or other damage. Then check the blade frames for any looseness. Replace the blades if there is any damage. Additionally, ensure that you secure the wiper blades to the wiper arms and that there is no rust or corrosion. Any damage to the insert or blade will lead to poor windshield clearing and lowered visibility.
If everything looks good with your wiper blades and arms, you should also top off your windshield washer fluid reservoir with a solution that includes water, Rain-X, or a similar product. This will help keep your windshield clean and streak-free, even when driving in heavy downpours.
Service Your Battery
Another key component of winterizing your vehicle is ensuring your battery is in good condition. After all, cold weather can lead to batteries losing their charge, so it’s important to have a strong battery before the wet weather hits.
The first thing to do is make sure that the battery is fully charged. One way to do this is put the battery on a battery voltage tender. This will keep the battery at the appropriate voltage over a long period of time. Any battery in a vehicle that isn’t driven for a prolonged period of time (like a snowstorm) is at risk of losing its charge.
If you are unsure of the state of your vehicle battery’s charge, test it. The best way to test your battery is with a voltmeter. These devices can be found at most auto parts stores and are relatively easy to use. If the test reveals that your battery needs replacing, it’s best to have it done sooner rather than later so you’re not stranded in bad weather later on.
Post-Winter Cleaning
After winter is over, clean off the underside of the vehicle by taking it to an automated car wash and having the underside of the vehicle cleaned there. This will safely clean off the salt, dirt, and other materials that are left on exposed metal surfaces during rainy or snowy weather. The salts and grime can lead to corrosion on the frame and suspension of the vehicle, so cleaning all that off will help prolong the life of your vehicle.
Wrapping Up
By taking care of these simple preventative maintenance tasks, you can help ensure your vehicle is ready for whatever Mother Nature throws it’s way this winter season. Just remember: safety comes first, so if you’re ever unsure about anything related to winterizing your car or truck, don’t hesitate to ask a professional for help.
Visit High Road Automotive in Seattle, WA., and we’ll help you winterize your vehicle for Seattle’s rainy conditions! Please schedule an appointment today and see what makes us so popular in Ballard & beyond!
