Top 8 Winter Car Maintenance Tips for Safer Driving!

Winter has shown its face in many parts of the country.  If you haven’t done so yet, now is the time to ask your auto repair specialist about preventative vehicle maintenance.  It is vital to have a thorough inspection performed on all the systems of your vehicle so that you are driving as safe as possible.  It is also vital that you have any compulsory repairs taken care of at the same time.  This will help give you confidence in your vehicle as you head out on wet and icy roads.

Consider the 8 winter car maintenance tips listed below:

• Inspect the Car Battery-- Cold temperatures reduce a battery’s cranking power. For example, a battery has only half the cranking power at 0° F than at 80° F.  A tired battery may just want to be charged, or simply replaced.
• Windshield and Wiper Blades-- Wiper blades normally start to lose their effectiveness in as little as 6 months. Streaks or missed areas of glass are signs that they should be replaced.  Remove ice from the windshield with an ice-scraper. To keep your wipers from freezing to the windshield, stop them in the raised position, especially if you park outside.  Fill the windshield-washer reservoir with a washer solution that contains an antifreeze agent.  Also, make sure the heater is functioning correctly so that plenty of warm air is being directed to the windshield in the defrost mode.
• Lights-- Inspect that all the vehicle's lights are working correctly and that the lenses are clean so that you'll have optimum visibility at night and that other drivers can see you coming or going.
• Oil-- Oil thickens when cold, making it harder for the engine to turn over. Normally, you should be using multi-viscosity oil that has a "W" in the viscosity index, signifying that it can provide good oil flow at low temperatures.
• Radiator, Hoses, and Belts-- Have the radiator and heater hoses inspected for cracks, leaks, or contamination from oil or grease. The hoses should be firm yet pliable.  Ask your mechanic to inspect the coolant mixture in your radiator for your area’s winter temperatures.
• Tires-- If you only drive occasionally in snow, a new set of all-season tires rated to perform well in snow and ice should be fine.  If you do a lot of driving in snowy conditions, consider purchasing snow tires which are made from special rubber compounds and tread patterns to grip snow and ice for optimum traction. Make sure that you keep your tires correctly inflated, as tire pressure declines as the thermometer drops.
• Brakes-- If you feel any vibration, hear squealing, or the brake pedal feels “soft,” have your brakes checked and repaired as soon as potential for better-stopping performance on slick and icy roads.
• Emergency kit-- Regardless of the length of your commute or road trip, always carry a supply of water, snacks, jumper cables, flashlight, road flares, first aid kit, blanket, and cell phone and charger.

Need to know more winter car maintenance tips?  Call our ASE Certified Technicians at Gary’s Quality Automotive for more information about vehicle maintenance services and to make an appointment.  Our auto repair shop proudly serves vehicle owners in Grand Island, NE, Wood River, NE, and Doniphan, NE.

What are the Signs of a Bad Alternator?

If your vehicle is starting to show signs of starting issues, it is possibly time for some form of auto electrical repair. The issue may be associated with the starter, alternator, or battery.  Ignoring the issues can lead to a car that refuses to start at all.  Have some components of the auto electrical system tested to determine the cause of your starting issues?  

When you start to experience starting issues, the alternator may be the last thing to come to mind.  But because the alternator is a key component in your car’s electrical system, when it starts to fail, it has an impact on other components of your vehicle, which can result in an urgent auto electrical repair.  

Before undertaking any auto electrical repair, the first things you should rule out are the battery and starter, narrowing it down to a failing alternator.  By understanding the signs of a bad alternator, you can have it replaced before it fails totally.  

So what are the signs of a bad alternator?

1. The dash warning light will come on. This is often the first indication of a failing alternator. 
2. The lights are dimmer than normal.
3. Other electrical systems, such as power windows, power locks, dashboard lights, air conditioning, radio, GPS, etc., will start to act up.
4. Bearings in the engine may fail, creating unusual rattles. 
5. There might not be enough power in the spark plugs to start the engine, or to keep the engine alive, causing it to stall while running.
6. The battery will drain because it is not receiving a charge from the alternator.  

Remember:  If you are having starting issues, be sure to have the alternator checked out to make sure it is sending a charge to the battery, especially before replacing the battery or starter.

Are you wondering what the signs of a bad alternator are? Contact our ASE Certified Technicians at Gary’s Quality Automotive for more information about auto electrical repair and to make an appointment.  Our auto repair shop proudly serves vehicle owners in Grand Island, NE, Wood River, NE, and Doniphan, NE.