Winter Car Maintenance In Texas
December 10, 2022
Winter car maintenance, Winter auto repair
Winter car maintenance is a whole new ball game. With cold and icy conditions, it means getting a service, changing some parts and conducting regular checks.
The thing to keep in mind is the cold and how it affects all the different parts of your vehicle as well as your need for winter auto repair. For example, the cold is a big battery drainer. This is because batteries run off of constant electrochemical reactions but these slow in the cold, meaning the battery will weaken. So, you may walk down your drive to find starting your car the number one chore of the day.
Then, there’s the ice, the snow and the cold roads that can throw everything out of whack. For example, if you slip on black ice, you might need a wheel alignment in your winter car maintenance. Or, if you’re constantly driving in the snow, you might need new winter wipers installed with rubber to help stop the ice from gathering.
That’s why we suggest heading to your local auto shop for winter car maintenance or a winter service. They’ll get your car prepared for the stark conditions the season brings so you can roll from A to B with no fuss under the hood. Here’s what you can expect:
Your battery is the key to starting up your car; if that’s out of juice due to the cold weather, you’ll need a new battery during your winter car maintenance and service. Your technicians will also conduct checks on the battery cables, terminals and posts!
Antifreeze is a liquid that gets mixed with water and pumped around your car while you're driving down the Texan highways. It keeps an even operating temperature of your vehicle’s components so they don’t freeze in the extreme winter cold.
In icy conditions, you need to increase your stopping distance by ten-fold with at least 600 feet ahead of you. Which accounts for good brakes and topped-up brake fluid. So, it’s a vital check during a service to prevent winter auto repair after a collision.
We’ve mentioned this a lot here at Dealership Autoplex Collision Center because it’s one of the biggest reasons for winter auto repair. So, in the winter car maintenance checks, we’ll be adding winter tires and ensuring good tire pressure for traction.
Your wiper blades might be great now but, when it comes to the snow and ice, they might fall short. Winter wiper blades have a protective rubber coating to prevent them from freezing in place. So, your winter car maintenance may involve installing them.
Your engine oil helps to keep all the important parts moving smoothly. However, your oil should change with the weather because it reacts to the temperature. So, your winter car maintenance techs may change you from a 10W oil to a thinner 5W oil.
With sidelights, blinkers, headlights, high beams and fog lights, you need to check all bulbs are working and bright for the winter. It stays dark for longer and you need to both see and be seen when on the roads in these conditions.
Your winter car maintenance check isn’t just to keep your car updated with the safest components for the cold weather. Your technicians will also be able to give you key information and tips. For example, check tire pressure weekly and keep jumper cables!
If you want to know where to take your vehicle for its winter car maintenance service and checks, our team is here. At Dealership Autoplex Collision Center, our ASE-certified technicians are on-call to make sure your vehicle is winter-ready this 2022 season.
Give us a call at (972) 242-0092 or browse our website to learn more about our teams and our services. Alternatively, visit us directly at our shop in Carrollton, TX.
The thing to keep in mind is the cold and how it affects all the different parts of your vehicle as well as your need for winter auto repair. For example, the cold is a big battery drainer. This is because batteries run off of constant electrochemical reactions but these slow in the cold, meaning the battery will weaken. So, you may walk down your drive to find starting your car the number one chore of the day.
Then, there’s the ice, the snow and the cold roads that can throw everything out of whack. For example, if you slip on black ice, you might need a wheel alignment in your winter car maintenance. Or, if you’re constantly driving in the snow, you might need new winter wipers installed with rubber to help stop the ice from gathering.
That’s why we suggest heading to your local auto shop for winter car maintenance or a winter service. They’ll get your car prepared for the stark conditions the season brings so you can roll from A to B with no fuss under the hood. Here’s what you can expect:
- Battery Checks
Your battery is the key to starting up your car; if that’s out of juice due to the cold weather, you’ll need a new battery during your winter car maintenance and service. Your technicians will also conduct checks on the battery cables, terminals and posts!
- Antifreeze Top-Up
Antifreeze is a liquid that gets mixed with water and pumped around your car while you're driving down the Texan highways. It keeps an even operating temperature of your vehicle’s components so they don’t freeze in the extreme winter cold.
- Brakes & Brake Fluid
In icy conditions, you need to increase your stopping distance by ten-fold with at least 600 feet ahead of you. Which accounts for good brakes and topped-up brake fluid. So, it’s a vital check during a service to prevent winter auto repair after a collision.
- Tire Inspections
We’ve mentioned this a lot here at Dealership Autoplex Collision Center because it’s one of the biggest reasons for winter auto repair. So, in the winter car maintenance checks, we’ll be adding winter tires and ensuring good tire pressure for traction.
- Wiper blades
Your wiper blades might be great now but, when it comes to the snow and ice, they might fall short. Winter wiper blades have a protective rubber coating to prevent them from freezing in place. So, your winter car maintenance may involve installing them.
- Engine oil
Your engine oil helps to keep all the important parts moving smoothly. However, your oil should change with the weather because it reacts to the temperature. So, your winter car maintenance techs may change you from a 10W oil to a thinner 5W oil.
- Emergency Flashers and Light check
With sidelights, blinkers, headlights, high beams and fog lights, you need to check all bulbs are working and bright for the winter. It stays dark for longer and you need to both see and be seen when on the roads in these conditions.
- Advice
Your winter car maintenance check isn’t just to keep your car updated with the safest components for the cold weather. Your technicians will also be able to give you key information and tips. For example, check tire pressure weekly and keep jumper cables!
If you want to know where to take your vehicle for its winter car maintenance service and checks, our team is here. At Dealership Autoplex Collision Center, our ASE-certified technicians are on-call to make sure your vehicle is winter-ready this 2022 season.
Give us a call at (972) 242-0092 or browse our website to learn more about our teams and our services. Alternatively, visit us directly at our shop in Carrollton, TX.
After an accident, the damage you can see isn’t always the only damage your vehicle sustained. A damaged bumper, dented quarter panel, or broken headlight may be obvious, but the impact can also affect structural components underneath the vehicle’s exterior. At Dealership Autoplex Collision Center (DACC) , we believe a proper collision repair is about more than making a vehicle look good again. It’s about identifying and addressing the damage that may be hidden underneath. What Is Structural Damage? Modern vehicles are designed with structural components that help support the vehicle and manage crash forces. Depending on the location and severity of an impact, a collision can potentially affect areas such as: Frame or unibody components Structural rails Suspension mounting points Body alignment Doors and panels Wheel alignment Bumpers and reinforcement components Even an accident that doesn’t appear severe from the outside can sometimes cause damage behind exterior panels.
After a car accident, there are a lot of decisions to make. Between filing an insurance claim, arranging transportation, and getting your vehicle repaired, the process can quickly become overwhelming. One common question we hear at Dealership Autoplex Collision Center (DACC) is: “Do I have to use the collision repair shop my insurance company recommends?” In Texas, you generally have the right to choose the repair facility you want to handle your vehicle. Your Insurance Company May Recommend a Shop After you file a claim, your insurance company may provide a list of repair facilities or recommend one of its preferred shops. While these recommendations can be convenient, you are not necessarily required to choose a shop simply because it was suggested by the insurance company. Your vehicle is an important investment, and you should feel comfortable with the facility performing the repairs. What Should You Look for in a Collision Repair Shop? When choosing a collision center, consider more than just how quickly the shop can get your vehicle in. Look for a facility that provides: Experienced collision repair technicians Proper structural and body repairs Professional paint matching and refinishing Clear communication throughout the repair process Assistance working with insurance companies Quality-control inspections before the vehicle is returned Help coordinating rental transportation when needed A quality collision repair should restore more than the appearance of your vehicle. The goal is to properly repair the damage and return the vehicle to you safely and professionally.
Today’s vehicles are equipped with more technology than ever before. Cameras, radar sensors, parking sensors, lane-assist systems, and automatic emergency braking can all be affected by a collision—even when the damage appears minor. That’s why modern collision repair involves much more than repairing dents and replacing damaged parts. What Is ADAS? ADAS stands for Advanced Driver Assistance Systems. Depending on your vehicle, these systems may include: Forward collision warning Automatic emergency braking Lane departure warning Lane-keeping assistance Adaptive cruise control Blind-spot monitoring Parking assistance Surround-view or backup cameras Many of these features rely on cameras and sensors positioned throughout the vehicle.
