Your Phoenix Winter Checklist for Your Car

In Phoenix, we’re lucky enough to enjoy mild winters. Here, you won’t have to worry about getting dumped with six feet of snow or trying to drive home on sheets of ice. While you won’t have to outfit your car with winter tires, you still need to tend to important car maintenance to make sure your car is ready for the winter season.

Here is a checklist of things you need to work with your local Arizona mechanic to take care of to make sure your car is ready for the Phoenix winter:

Oil Change

Different types and brands of oil perform differently in colder temperatures. Some oils get very thick and don’t move as easily when the temperatures drop. Now is the time to get an oil change and make sure you are using the best oil for the colder weather. Talk with your mechanic about what brands are best for your particular make and model, as well as for the lower temperatures.

The right oil will keep your car protected all winter long and beyond.

Air Filter

Your car’s air filter will trap dust, pollen, hair, bacteria and other airborne pollutants all year long. It can quickly become a breeding ground for germs, which will flow back into your car’s cabin. This is not what you want to be dealing with when you are also battling cold and flu germs all winter long. Just before winter is the perfect time to change your car’s air filter. Then you’ll be set all year long since the filter doesn’t have to be changed for another 12,000 or 15,000 miles.

Antifreeze

Antifreeze is essential for keeping your engine at the right temperatures to prevent overheating. The cooling system should contain a mixture that is half antifreeze and half distilled water, keeping the system from either freezing in very cold temperatures or boiling over if the engine gets too hot.

Ask your Phoenix auto repair shop to flush and fill the cooling system with the right mixture. This essential car maintenance will also help reveal any leaks while they are still relatively minor and can be easily fixed.

Tire Pressure

You may not have to drive on snow and ice in Phoenix, but you may still face wet roads, and you will certainly drive long distances at some point. The right tire pressure is essential to maintaining good traction on the road. The right tire pressure will also help your tires wear more evenly, reducing the risk of blowouts and flats. Check your tire pressure monthly to make sure it’s where it needs to be.

Lights

Fog is certainly a concern in the winter, and you’ll need a strong set of headlights and brake lights to help you see and be seen on the road. Check your lights to make sure that not only are they working, but also that they aren’t clouded over by oxidation or debris. If they are, you will need to get a professional cleaning by your mechanic or an auto detailer.

Brakes

Sound brakes are important all year long. If you let your brakes wear down, components like your rotors or axle can become severely damaged, requiring expensive repairs. It is important that you get the car maintenance you need before things reach this point. Check your brakes before the season begins to make sure they have enough life in them for the next several months. If they are starting to thin, replace them now before they become a bigger problem.

Scottsdale Muffler and Automotive is ready to help get your car ready for the Phoenix winter. We can perform all of these car maintenance tasks and more to make sure that your vehicle is in top condition for the season, helping to keep your family safe for the holidays and the New Year. We have been serving residents of Phoenix and the surrounding area for 20 years, and we welcome the opportunity to serve you. Find out why we are the mechanic that Phoenix trusts. Contact us to schedule your winter car maintenance today!