The Best Winter Auto Maintenance Checklist For Driver Safety

I’m making a list, I’m checkin’ it twice… I’m gonna find out if my auto’s naughty or nice… Well, okay, you get the idea. The holidays are rapidly approaching, and for many of us, that means running more errands, driving to holiday festivities, and maybe even traveling to the in-law’s house in another state. With all the extra duties we have on our plates, car maintenance may not be on our radar – but it should be. Winter auto maintenance is vital for driver safety during the holidays, especially key components like tires and the car battery. Below is a handy auto maintenance checklist and a couple of safety tips to help you cruise through the season with ease!

Winter Auto Maintenance Checklist

Routine auto maintenance is an excellent tool to catch minor issues before they become major problems. Your owner’s manual provides time and mileage intervals for services such as oil changes, tire inspections, and car battery replacements. Use this handy winter auto maintenance checklist to help you inspect and correct any issues before winter sets in. Remember, a well-maintained automobile is vital for driver safety.

Check Auto Fluids

The seasonal temperature change with the onset of winter is the perfect time to check and top off any low auto fluids. You can check your vehicle’s fluids yourself or schedule a fluid check service with your service technician.

Inspect Tires

Tires are your vehicle’s most critical component for driver safety since they are in direct contact with the road. Vehicle handling, steering, and stopping can all be negatively affected if your tires are in poor condition. It is a wise habit to inspect your tires monthly. Be sure to include:

• Air Pressure: When the outdoor temperature drops, so does the air pressure in your vehicle’s tires. A good, accurate digital gauge will help you monitor the air pressure in your tires. Be sure to fill your tires to the pressure noted on the door jam sticker or follow your owner’s manual guidelines.  
• Damages: Check for bulges or cracks in the tire’s sidewalls. Damaged tires require repairs or replacement.
• Spare Tire: Don’t forget to inspect your spare tire.
• Tire Tread Depth: Experts agree that tires require replacement once the tread reaches 2/32″. It’s considerably safer to replace tires once the tire tread reaches 4/32″.
• Tire Tread Wear: Look for uneven tread wear, bald spots, cupping, or feathering of the tread. If you spot these conditions, consult your auto technician to see if it’s time for a tire rotation service.

Replace Wiper Blades

With its UV rays, the hot summer sun slowly degrades the rubber or silicone of your windshield wiper blades. By the time winter comes around, there’s a good chance they need replacing. In general, you can count on replacing windshield wipers about twice a year – even if you use the expensive ones. Make sure to replace the rear wiper (if your vehicle has one).

Refill Windshield Wiper Fluid

Refill the windshield wiper fluid reservoir to ensure there is always an adequate supply to clear the windscreen of dirt, film, or streaks. Good visibility is key for driver safety.

Service Heater & Defroster 

Driving to work first thing in the cold mornings is uncomfortable and can also be dangerous. Suppose your vehicle’s heating system does not operate correctly. In that case, a fogged-up or frosted-over windshield reduces visibility, impacting driver safety. If you find clearing your windshield of frost or fog takes a long time, schedule a heating & defroster service as soon as possible.

Test Car Battery

Car batteries often fail when the weather turns cold because they work so hard during the summer. You can monitor your car battery life at home with a simple tester. You can also schedule a car battery service with your technician. They can determine the overall health of your battery and estimate how much life is left. Once your battery no longer holds a good charge, it requires replacement.

Winter Driver Safety Tips

Here are a few basic but important winter driver safety tips to remember while driving this holiday season.

Slow Down

Winter driving conditions can include inclement weather, increased traffic, and more pedestrians, so please slow down. It takes longer to slow your vehicle and come to a complete stop (due to less traction) when the roads are wet and slippery. Cloudy skies and fog create poor visibility, which is another safety factor. Give yourself plenty of time to arrive at your destination by leaving a little early. If you are not ‘running late’, then it’s easier to slow down and enjoy your commute.

Be Polite

We have all experienced frustration or impatience when driving around town during the holidays. The need to complete our errands and get back home can create a sense of urgency. We can get angry when indecisive drivers or motorists from out of town impede our progress. Take a minute to breathe and remind yourself that driving safely is way more important than giving in to road rage and causing an auto accident.

Pack A Winter Emergency Kit

Carrying an emergency kit in your vehicle should be a year-round practice. For winter, make sure to include:

• Basic First Aid kit
• Chemical hand warmers and/or toe warmers
• Emergency Resources: Energy bars or drinks, bottled water, medications, pet supplies (if applicable)
• Light source: Flares, LED emergency light, flashlight +extra batteries
• Reflective gear: Cone, triangle, flag, or vest
• Multi-tool, small tool kit, jumper cables
• Warm clothes: Cap, gloves, scarf, thermal blanket, towel, or sleeping bag
• Wet weather gear: Umbrella, poncho, water-proof hat

Auto Maintenance in San Diego, CA

And the number one winter driver safety tip is to schedule your winter auto maintenance service with Wentworth Automotive in San Diego, CA. Our team will perform a thorough vehicle inspection and offer expert advice on all necessary services and repairs. You can trust our technicians to address your winter auto maintenance needs on all makes and models of domestic and import vehicles. From the tires to the car battery, we will ensure your driver safety quickly and efficiently.

Schedule Your Auto Maintenance Service

Call us at (858) 541-1044 or visit us online to schedule your appointment for an auto maintenance service today!