How To Winterize Your Car

How To Winterize Your Car

Now that the coldest months of the year are approaching it's time to get your vehicle winterized.

Engine Oil in the Winter

The oil in your engine changes depending on how hot or cold the engine is running. Because the outside temperatures will influence the internal temperature of your engine, you need to make sure you're using the proper oil for the conditions.

During the winter months, if you live where temperatures get below freezing, you'll want to switch over to thinner―less viscous―oil. If you run a 10W-30 in the summer, for example, try moving to a 5W-30 when changing your oil in the fall or winter. If you are in doubt, refer to your manual or give us a call @ 888-688-9708.

Engine Coolant

You car's coolant system is not intended only to keep your engine from overheating. It is also responsible for protecting your valuable engine against corrosion. Before the weather gets too cold, make sure you are using coolant with ethylene glycol to help protect your engine.

Every vehicle requires a certain ratio of coolant to water, and your owner's manual or Lowe Toyota service technician can explain what your engine needs. For most vehicles, a winter ratio is 60% coolant to 40% water. Adjusting this ratio is an important step in winterizing your car, so if you need help, ask one of our experienced and knowledgeable technicians.

Cold Weather and Battery Capacity

It isn't only your engine that doesn't like to start in the winter. Your battery capacity is reduced by the cold weather, too. A thorough inspection of your battery, cables, terminals, and fluid will help you make sure your car is ready for the winter.

Check over the battery cables for cracks and breaks. The terminals should fit snugly with no loose connections. You can check your battery fluid by uncovering the refill hole (or sometimes holes). If the level is below the bottom of the cap, refill with distilled water.

To read the level of charge in your battery, you will need to turn the engine off. Some batteries have a built-in hydrometer eye that tells you the amount of voltage remaining in the battery. If you prefer, a handheld hydrometer can be used to collect the same information.

So, is your battery fresh enough to endure the winter weather? Compare its voltage with these figures:

• 12.6V to 12.8V: full charge

• 12.2V to 12.4V: half charge

• 11.8V to 12.0V: discharged

While you're inspecting your battery, look around for the manufacture date. Knowing how old your battery is can clue you in to when it will begin to lose charge. Shopping for a new battery? Never buy one with a six-month-old manufacture date.

There are a lot of things to look at when winterizing you vehicle and it can be a bit overwhelming. Save yourself both time and money and let the professionals at Lowe Toyota do all the work for you so you can have a peace of mind that your car won't leave you stranded on a cold winters day. Call us today to schedule an appointment with our service department. 

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