How to Prep a Car for Winter

You’ve heard it said, “Winter is coming,” and that means fun winter festivities and gathering with family. It also means more challenging road conditions and prepping your car for winter. If you don’t know how to prep a car for winter in Council Bluffs, don’t worry. Below you can get some winter car prep tips from the service team at Edwards Nissan. Keep reading to learn how to prep a car for winter, and contact us if you have any questions.

Winter Car Prep Tips

From quick trips to the grocery store in Omaha to road trips beyond Bellevue, knowing how to prep a car for winter provides peace of mind wherever you travel. These are some top winter car prep tips to help you prepare:

• Do regular brake checks: Wet and icy road conditions can cause rust to build up and reduce brake performance, so check your brakes occasionally throughout the season.
• Check your battery: Before the weather gets too cold, it’s a good idea to test your battery. Cold weather can make it harder to start your car, so inspect your battery cables and terminals to see if you need a new battery.
• Check your tire pressure: Tires sometimes deflate at the start of cold weather. As the temperature drops, you should check your tire pressure periodically to ensure they have the correct PSI. Improperly inflated tires are not only dangerous, but they can also decrease your fuel economy.
• Check your coolant levels: Always ensure enough coolant is in your radiator. Your vehicle’s owner’s manual will state the correct coolant for your car, and you can order it online from the Edwards Nissan parts center.
• Change your oil: Since engine oil naturally thickens in cold weather, it’s wise to start the season by scheduling an oil change.
• Fill up your wiper fluid and replace the wiper blades: Salt and debris from Council Bluffs roads can negatively affect your visibility. Consider adding freeze-resistant wiper fluid and switching to heavy-duty wiper blades for wintertime.
• Consider winter tires: If you anticipate driving in a lot ofsnow and ice, switching to winter tires is a good idea. Winter tires improve traction and shorten your stopping distance on La Vista roads.
• Keep the tank topped off: An empty gas tank allows moisture to build up and can cause diluted fuel so try to keep it nearly full during the winter.
• Check your heater: Ensure your heating system is working properly at the start of the winter season so you can stay warm!

Schedule Your Winter Car Service at Edwards Nissan!

Now that you know how to prep a car for winter, if you’re not the DIY type, schedule a service appointment at Edwards Nissan, and we can do it for you! Our certified Nissan technicians are highly trained and will take excellent care of your vehicle. Be sure to check our service specials to save money on your next visit, and let us know when we can be of service!