United Tire and Service News

At United Tire, we know our customers are busy and can often forget that services are needed to keep their valuable vehicle on the road.  Winterizing your car is an important group of services to ensure your car, truck or SUV continues to run smoothly throughout the winter months.  This is especially true for cars that are parked either overnight on the street, or in outdoor lots.  

 

You depend on your vehicle, so even if you have a garage for your car, over the course of the next few months, you know that your car can be out in winter storms or on snowy roads.  And every time you take your car out throughout the winter, you’re parking outdoors at the mall or even just the grocery store.  For all these reasons, it really helps to follow through on these cold weather tips that protect your car, truck or SUV when the weather becomes blustery. Don't forget these 7 tips for Winterizing Your Car.  

 

Make sure that the tire pressure is correct.  Pressure in your tires is subject to change as the temperature heads south.  Do the Penny test by placing a penny in the groove of your tire.  Point the top of Lincoln’s head down into the tread.  If Lincoln’s head is below the top of the tread (2/16”) your tires are worn and they are past their prime for gripping — especially on snowy and/or icy roads.  It’s time to start shopping for tires.  Also, if you drive regularly on snow packed roads, consider putting a set of winter tires on your vehicle.

 

Have your brakes inspected every time you have your tires rotated.  If you drive more aggressively, it won’t hurt to have them looked at when you change your oil.  In either case, most car technicians will tell you to have your brakes looked at every 20,000 to 60,000 miles.  With snow and ice on the roads, you are much more likely to be riding your brakes more frequently than in the warmer weather months.  That can lead to wear and tear on your vehicle.

 

Many may not think of their cooling system when wintertime rolls around, but it's an important service to have performed. Most technicians recommend changing your coolant about every 30,000 miles.  Some say that if you have a newer vehicle, you can wait until 60,000 miles for your first flush and then each 30,000 mile increment after that.  

 

Most drivers are aware that the extreme heat of driving in the summer months can take its toll on  a vehicle’s belts and hoses.  Heat can make rubber products expand making it tougher for them to do their job.  What most people don’t tell you, is that belt and hose failure most often lead to an emergency situation on the road.  So, it is always a good idea to have your hoses and belts checked BEFORE the cold weather hits.  You don’t want to be one of those stranded vehicles on the side of the road with the hood up - and NEVER in the winter.  So have them looked at the next time you pull into your service center.  

 

Most technicians suggest that you have your battery checked about twice a year.  One of those times should definitely be prior to the cold weather.  More importantly, if you notice that your vehicle doesn’t start right up, or that your headlights are a bit dim - these are warning signs to have your battery looked at by a trained technician.  Your tech can check the terminals and the cables.  They can make sure the connections are secure.  They can check the power and the charge your battery has.  Winter is hard on batteries - and even more so if your vehicle is kept outside.  Have it looked at before you find yourself unable to start and run your car.  

 

Sure it seems simple to change your windshield wipers, but how many of us have been caught in a downpour or with an iced-over windshield only to find that our wipers are well past their prime.  A good rule of thumb is to change your windshield wipers once a year.  Really, if your wipers aren’t cleaning off your front and rear windows thoroughly anymore, get those wipers replaced. Consider winter (heavy-duty) wiper blades for the winter as well.

 

Any time you bring your car in for service, your technician should top off all fluids.  But what are “all” fluids?  There are 7 fluids that you or your car’s mechanic should check virtually every time you are in for any type of service.  You certainly know about checking your oil.  The windshield wiper fluid may quickly come to mind as well.  Many understand the importance of ensuring that the coolant in your radiator is flushed regularly (see above for more detail on “Coolant”).  What may get missed in the “top-off fluids” category are your transmission fluid, power steering fluid, brake fluid and even the occasional air conditioning coolant.  It’s an easy “ask” to top off the fluids the next time you pull into your car technician’s bay.

 

At United Tire and Auto Service, we can take care of all of your car’s winterization needs.  Call, come in today, or schedule an appointment online.  We are always glad to help!