Essential Winter Car Care Tips for Jeep, RAM, Dodge, and Chrysler Owners

Connecticut can get mighty cold during winter. One valuable habit that all Madison, CT, drivers should adopt is proper winterization for their CDJR vehicles in preparation for the colder months and knowing how to take good care of an automobile until spring. Here’s an overview of vital winter car tips to keep your vehicle safe and unscathed this winter.

Check Your Heater and Defroster

When the temperature plummets, you’ll depend on your heater to keep you warm and safe on long drives, and your defroster will help to defrost and defog your windows, keeping your visibility clear. Make sure both are working well before winter begins. 

Change to Tougher Winter Tires

Summer and even all-season tires have trouble handling cold and icy winter roads. It’s usually best to install winter tires, which have deeper, sharper voids designed to dig into packed snow and ice. The rubber of winter tires also remains more pliant in freezing weather, able to hold better traction on freezing tarmac. 

Pay Closer Attention to Tire Pressure

During winter, it’s wise to keep a closer eye than usual on your tires’ air pressure. Cold temperatures cause air to contract, lessening the PSI inside a tire. This could leave your tires underinflated and hazardous to use unless you adjust the air pressure accordingly.

Install Winter Windshield Wipers 

Ordinary windshield wipers can become damaged by frost. Special winter wipers are tougher and made from a more pliant rubber, better able to handle icy weather. 

Have Your Car Battery Tested

The cold can harm car batteries as well, slowing them down and sometimes causing them to fail. Have your battery tested before winter to ensure it’s in tip-top condition; if it’s starting to fade, consider installing a new one. 

Clean Your Car More Thoroughly 

During winter, cleaning your car’s bodywork and undercarriage becomes more important than usual. Salty slush from the roads is often corrosive and can rapidly damage your car if not promptly cleaned off. 

Prepare an Emergency Aid Kit

Driving during winter involves the risk of getting stranded somewhere overnight if your car malfunctions. You can prepare for the worst by packing an emergency aid kit, which should ideally include a warm blanket, a flashlight, a shovel and sand for snow, flares, a jack, and food. 

Learn More Winter Car Tips for CDJR Vehicles in Madison, CT

Pay us a visit and our experienced technicians will be happy to talk you through optimal winterization for your car. We can also carry out a full inspection to ensure your vehicle is in good working order before the temperatures drop. 

Visit Madison Chrysler Inc in Madison, CT, today to get your car ready for the cold months. We offer a broad range of new and pre-owned vehicles, comprehensive maintenance, and high-quality customer service. 

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