Is Your Car Ready For Winter?

Darren Krentz checking-off the inspection list while Tim Fast gets it all done.

The dropping temperatures means your vehicle may need a little extra TLC.

Service Adviser from Fairway Ford in Steinbach Darren Krentz says it's good to be prepared for the winter season by having a full inspection preformed on your vehicle. Krentz explains a full inspection includes a lube, oil and filter change, check battery strength, make sure the block heater works, check the anti-freeze level, thorough brake inspection, measure brake components, check steering components and top up all o f the fluids.

“Make sure that you're vehicle is prepared for winter by making sure your anti-freeze level is good, your block heater cord works, your battery has proper strength. Those are probably the most important things.”

Krentz notes other than being careful in deep snow, a set of winter tires are a good idea to stay safe on the winter roads. He adds there is a new program through MPI to help finance the cost of winter tires.

And don't forget to plug in your vehicle, Krentz says when your vehicle sits outside, especially overnight or during the day while at work to plug it in. He adds letting the vehicle run before putting it into gear is a great idea.

“It's always best anytime your car is cold to actually give it the proper time to warm up. Let it warm up, five to ten minutes would be preferred, but five minutes definitely for sure would be a great idea if you could let your vehicle run. Especially if it's been parked outside overnight all night and it's ice cold.”

Krentz adds most new vehicles are fuel-injected and don't require gas-line anti-freeze anymore as there's not as big of a problem with gas freezing or gelling in the lines. He notes diesel fuel has a component added to the fuel so it doesn't gel in the lines and it's called 'winter diesel'.