Disclaimers

Guide to Winter Car Maintenance in Akron, OH

2021 Kia Seltos | VanDevere Kia | Akron, OH

Not all states get four seasons — and that just might include Ohio. After all, we tend to go from winter to summer quite quickly, and back to winter nearly as fast. Spring and fall do like to show up, from time to time, but they tend to make way to high heat or frosty cold faster than in other areas of the country, like in Georgia or northern California.

What does this have to do with cars? As nice as a quiet, snow-clad morning can be, cars are usually not fond of cold. Or snow. And, certainly, cars do not like ice. In the winter, cars can freeze solid, slide off the road, and — less dramatically but more frequently — refuse to start. So what can you do to keep your car running smoothly over the winter, and survive until summer? Below, we’ll look over at the four main areas of winter car maintenance you should consider.

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Preventative Maintenace

Winter Tire Maintenance

Tires are the only part of your car that touch the road. That’s already an important job, and doubly so when the road is wet, cold, and potentially covered in snow or ice. There are three main areas of tire maintenance to remember in the winter:

  • Tread type: All-wheel drive is nice for moving forward, but it won’t help you stop or turn on low-grip surfaces. For that, you need winter tires, which not only have special tread designs that do a better job of biting into the road, but also use rubber compounds better suited for cold temperatures. For the best grip on slick roads, get winter tires.
     
  • Tread depth: The best tire compound and tread patterns don’t mean much if the tread is worn down to less than 1/16th inch. Try the penny or quarter test to see if your tires need to be replaced, but keep in mind that in bad conditions, even tires worn below a ¼ inch of tread can have noticeably less grip.

  • Tire pressure: Cold reduces the pressure inside of your tires, which can impact both traction and fuel economy. Check the pressures and adjust accordingly.

Winter Bodywork Maintenance

Winter can be harsh on your car’s body. Windows freeze, wipers crack, and latches and hinges can resist doing what they’re supposed to. The best way to avoid these problems is to park your car under shelter whenever possible. Failing that, swapping to winter wipers, winter wiper fluid, and lubricating key parts of your car can help it last through the winter. It’s best to bring your car to our service center in Akron, Ohio, so our team of technicians can ensure your car is ready to take on the cold. Additionally, clean your car every two weeks to minimize salt damage.

Winter Battery Maintenance

Cold starts have a higher impact on battery wear-and-tear, and cold itself reduces a battery’s maximum electrical charge. That’s a double whammy that ensures that after even just three years of Ohio winters, batteries can fail and leave you in need of a jump. At VanDevere Kia, we can test your battery to give you an estimate of how long you have left before it should be replaced.

Pack A Winter Emergency Kit

It’s always good to be prepared. Pack a winter car survival kit that includes warm clothing, a blanket, jumper cables, and cat litter in case you get stranded in cold weather. It should also include all the other items you may want to pack in an all-season kit, such as a flashlight, tool kit, first aid kit, and portable charger.

Proper winter car maintenance takes no small effort, but our service team at VanDevere Kia is ready to step up and get your car ready to take on the cold. Call our dealership in Akron, Ohio, at (234) 226-4786 or visit our website to schedule an appointment!