How to Prep a Car for Winter

It sometimes seems like summer was only yesterday, but the winter months are in full force in most of the U.S., and with them come a whole host of car-related dangers to be aware of. In areas with cold temperatures, ice, and snow, driving conditions can become challenging at best and hazardous at worst, so it’s important that you keep your vehicle in the best condition possible. Fortunately, the service team at Stuckey GMC is here to help with our car maintenance for winter tips! Check out the guide below for a checklist split into three parts: inspections, preparation, and testing.

Winter Car Maintenance Checklist In Three Parts

Check Everything

As winter heads into full force in State College and beyond, you’ll want to make an appointment with a service center to make sure all of your vehicle components are running properly. The winter months bring with them harsh road conditions, and your vehicle should be performing at its best. When you bring your vehicle to Stuckey GMC, we’ll do a careful inspection of your vehicle’s battery, headlights, brakelights, and windshield wipers. 

Create an Emergency Prep Kit

Even if you don’t plan on heading out on a road trip or an off-road adventure, it’s a good idea to have a winter emergency car kit in case you run into trouble on the Johnstown roads. Your kit should include:

• Winter clothes, including boots and gloves
• Shovel and ice scraper
• Batteries
• Cell phone charger
• Jumper cables
• First aid kit
• Thermal blanket
• Nonperishable food
• Sand or kitty litter 
• Flares

Regularly Test and Maintain

The final part of our winter car maintenance checklist is to regularly keep tabs on your vehicle to make sure everything is working properly. Three of the most important things you should keep an eye on are:

• Tire pressure: Tire pressure is affected by the temperature, so intense cold weather may cause your tires to unexpectedly lose pressure, which in turn will create a lot of hazards for your vehicle.

• Gasoline and other fluids: Gasoline, coolant (antifreeze), brake fluid, and wiper fluid should always be kept at full capacity throughout the winter months, which reduces the chance of excess water getting into your vehicle system and freezing.

• Defroster and heater: Two of the most important internal systems in winter are the heater and defroster, so you should test them regularly to make sure they’re working properly regardless of where you live.

Keep Your Vehicle in Top Condition with Stuckey GMC

If you have any questions about car maintenance for winter, feel free to contact our service center! You can also stop by our dealership to talk to a member of our team in person – we’re conveniently located near Huntingdon and happy to help. If you’re looking to save money on your next service appointment, be sure to check out our service specials!