5 Tips for Winterizing Your Car

It seems like summer just ended, but it is never too early to start getting your Toyota ready for winter. You don’t want to be caught in a Virginia blizzard without being properly prepared and the following car winterizing tips can ensure that doesn’t happen.

Check the Battery

Get ready for winter by making sure your car’s battery is up to the challenge. While a dead battery is always bad news, it can be particularly stressful or dangerous during the winter, leaving you stranded in a blizzard. Remember that cold mornings require a bit more effort from your battery to start. If your battery is older than three years, have a mechanic take a look before winter starts.

Fill the Gas Tank

As winter approaches, make sure that your car’s gas tank is always full. When the gas tank is almost empty, condensation can form within its interior walls. During the winter, changing temperatures may lead to water sneaking inside. If that happens, your problems could get even worse.

Flush the Radiator Coolant

You know that your radiator works hard in the summer to keep your Toyota’s engine cool, but you may not realize how crucial it is to winter driving. The radiator helps protect the engine block from freezing temperatures. If the coolant is frozen, it may expand within the block, ruining it. Simply flushing the coolant/antifreeze can help prevent problems.

Swap Out Your Tires

Depending on the tires you currently have on your car, you may need to change them out to get ready for the winter. This is especially true if you have summer tires on your car, as they simply can’t hold up to the cold temperatures of the winter. Opt for winter tires or all-season ones that have fairly cold ratings.

Put Supplies in Your Car

Part of winterizing your Toyota is making sure you have everything you will need on hand. In addition to the jumper cables and flashlight you should already have on hand, add an ice scraper, some warm gloves, and a warm blanket.

For help with the maintenance aspects of winterizing your vehicle, visit Warrenton Toyota in Warrenton, Virginia.