Madison, WI winter is nothing to enter into blindly. You want your car to be prepared for everything that comes with a cold snap or a heavy snowfall. Don Miller Subaru West is winter car-care central for Wisconsin drivers, and we've compiled a quick checklist for winter prep and maintenance to help you brace your Subaru for Mother Nature's impact in the coming months.
- Old oil and a worn filter can do damage to your car's engine year-round, so keep up with regular oil and filter changes based on your make and model's recommendations.
- Always carry an emergency kit, because if your car breaks down during a winter storm, it could be a while before someone can get to you. Pack flares, flashlights, blankets, food, and extra batteries.
- Do you noticing grinding noises when applying the brakes? Any tipoffs that you braking system isn't what it used to be should be checked out by one of the certified Subaru technicians at our dealership.
- Replace worn tires, preferably with snow tires.
- Flush the cooling system and inspect drive belts, hoses, and clamps.
- To ensure good visibility, inspect defroster and heater.
- Replace wiper blades with winter-specific, rubber-clad blades for better functionality with snow and ice.
- A battery check is always a good idea when the temperatures drop, as a cold snap can exasperate a problem with an old or damaged battery.
- Performance issues like rough idling and hard starts should be corrected before the winter hits, as well.
- As always, consult the owner's manual for recommended service schedules, as these vary depending make, model, year, engine, drivetrain, etc. of your vehicle.
Genuine Subaru parts and fluids are your best bet for maintaining your vehicle's impeccable performance and design. We stock all the equipment and products you need here at our certified Subaru service center, and we can perform the work for you if you're not into the DIY approach to car care. And if your vehicle is in need of brake repair, transmission service, etc. you should only trust it with a professional, like the certified Subaru techs here at Don Miler Subaru West. You can even schedule service online.
For more tips for getting your car cold-weather ready, check out the video below from car-care expert Lauren Fix:
