Tooele winters bring cold mornings, wind off the lake and plenty of road salt. Most winter breakdowns are predictable, which means most are preventable. Here’s the list.
1. Battery
This is the big one. Cold weather cuts a battery’s power right when the engine needs more to start. If your battery is more than about four years old or cranks slowly, test it before the first deep freeze. A load test takes a few minutes. See battery testing and replacement and car won’t start on a cold morning.
2. Tires
- Check tread depth. A quick test: put a quarter in the tread upside down. If you can see all of Washington’s head, traction in snow will suffer.
- Check pressure once it gets cold. Tire pressure drops as temperatures drop.
- Consider winter tires if you commute to Salt Lake early in the morning or drive the canyon roads.
3. Wipers and washer fluid
Replace streaky wiper blades and fill up with a winter washer fluid rated below freezing. Salt spray on SR-36 and I-80 goes through a lot of fluid.
4. Coolant
Coolant (antifreeze) protects the engine from freezing. Check the level in the overflow tank with the engine cold. If it’s low, old or looks rusty, have the cooling system checked.
5. Brakes
Slick roads are the wrong time to find out your pads are thin. If you hear squealing or grinding, get them looked at before winter. See brake repair.
6. Oil
If you’re due for an oil change, do it now. Fresh oil of the right weight flows better on cold starts. See mobile oil changes.
7. Lights
Short days mean more driving in the dark. Walk around the car and check headlights, brake lights and turn signals.
8. Emergency kit
Keep in the car: a blanket, gloves, a flashlight, an ice scraper, jumper cables or a jump pack, water, and a phone charger.
Want it done in your driveway?
We can test the battery and charging system, check fluids and brakes, and change the oil in one visit, right where your car is parked. Get in touch.