Winter is coming…

Pardon me for the Game of Thrones reference, but I just had to mention one of the great tag lines out there.  And for those who haven’t yet been able to watch the popular HBO show, it debuts sometime next March, when not surprisingly, it’ll be pretty cold still.  The roads will hopefully not have much, if any, snow or ice caking the streets and roadways where you live.  The hope is that you’re able to comfortably and safely navigate where you need to go throughout winter.  Or you’re in the camp who might be having a difficult time navigating, let alone operating, your vehicle because you didn’t heed the warning signs your car was trying to hint at.

Preparing your car accordingly for the onslaught of winter is something that may get lost in the mix with some of us because we’re either too busy with work, family, and planning the holiday season around both.  Simple checks to make sure your car’s inner workings and other essentials are up to par can sometimes be a chore in and of itself, but that doesn’t mean you should pass over doing so during one of the most debilitating seasons to a car.  Nevermind the fact that temperatures alone make it a struggle to start your car on a weak battery, but if the tread on your tires is worn down, you’re driving and stability can be impacted greatly.  But obviously the biggest crux in all of this is the snow (and ice) and harsh weather in general making it even more of a challenge to safely drive around if your car’s operating well below normal standards.

Which is why today is a perfect time for those drivers to shed the “procrastinator” label once and for all and make a car maintenance checklist and update the necessary areas.  As for things that might make the cut, here’s a list of crucial tasks to look over:

How Old’s Your Car Battery?

Right off the bat, the strength and age of your car battery should be noted.  AAA recommends that a car battery be changed every 3 to 4 years.  So if your car falls somewhere in that category or is well over that mark, say 5 to 6 years, at the very least you want that inspected by a mechanic to see what level it’s at.  And maybe you won’t even need an inspection at that point, because your ears will be able to pick up the strength based off the struggles of starting your car each morning.  The obvious tell would be your car not starting at all, and if that happens in January (rather than October) amid a snowstorm, you’re day(s) will be sorely interrupted.

If you have to switch it out, don’t replace it with the cheapest battery the auto parts store has.  Unless you happen along a great deal on a reliable car battery brand, most cheap batteries are just that:  unreliable and have a short-lived lifespan.  Instead, put a few extra dollars towards a mid-grade or upper-echelon battery to get you through the year and then some.

Tire Tread Conditions

We’ve all heard the “Abe” test of putting a penny between the middle grooves of your tires and that if you see the entire head of honest Abe, it’s about time you switch those guys out for some new ones.  The reasons are aplenty, but most of which is for the safety of you and the other drivers on the road.  Trying to drive and properly stop along snowy or icy roads with all-but-bald tires is like trying to ice skate in slippers-it’s daunting and very hazardous, to say the least.  Being as cautious as possible when driving during snowy conditions is crucial and becomes even more high-priority if your tire treads are worn down significantly.

All in all, a new set of tires can help reduce the chances of you getting into a fender bender.  Driving habits and unpredictability notwithstanding…

Don’t Forget Your Oil Quality

Some of us tend to go a bit over the recommended oil change mark every now and then.  Sometimes it’s 1oo miles over the limit, other times it’s 1,000.  And if you’re in the latter portion or in an even more perilous group that’s pushing 1,500+ miles over the “every 3,o0o miles” or “every 5,000 miles” recommendation (depends on what your owner’s manual calls for), you might be setting up your engine for failure…especially in the confines of winter.

And when you do go in for a change, ensure your car receives the recommended grade, with proper viscosity to counter the harsh conditions.  That’s because the colder the weather, the more oil has a tendency to get thicker, which is why you should be on top of the viscosity level of the oil used.  The thicker the oil is, the harder it’ll be to properly lubricate your engine and it’s core mechanisms.

And that’s just a starter’s course on some of the most important elements to consider with car maintenance so you can best prepare for the natural elements that winter will throw at you along the road.  Above all, be punctual and update the areas that are in dire need or may need maintenance soon enough.  Combine that with a more defensive mindset behind the wheel, be as safe a driver as possible and you’ll find that winter’s not all that bad when you have the right car to push through it all.

Author Bio:  Guest contribution from Kyle, a regular contributor on topics concerning the automotive industry, specifically auto repair and maintenance tips and advice, select car model comparisons, car buying question and more.  He has consulted for Jay Wolfe Honda, one of the leading new and used Honda dealers of the greater Kansas City area.