Get Your Nissan Ready for Winter
The Pacific Ocean does an excellent job of shielding Auburn from the harsh winters experienced by other areas this far north, such as Spokane or Duluth. Compared to those places, the average temperature will drop about 30 degrees instead of 50 degrees on average from summer to winter, and our snowfall is negligible. Still, a 30-degree average with occasional drops beyond that is enough of a difference that you should take time to prepare your Nissan or any other car you have for winter. That goes double if you plan on any sizable trips for the holidays. Here are a few tips Rairdon’s Nissan of Auburn has gathered to keep your car at its best during the winter.
Heater and Defroster
With lows in the mid-30s, you certainly want your heater to work. Your car heater is reliable, but you should check its operation before it gets cold to ensure it is ready when needed. Ironically, your air conditioner also needs to be operating well, as it will be needed to clear your windshield of condensation. If your air conditioning has been waning since the summer, have it looked at before the winter.
Check Your Car Battery
As the temperature drops, the chemical reactions inside your battery to create DC current occur more slowly, and this causes your car to require more from your battery to start the engine. If your battery is already not as strong as it could be, chances are the mid-30s-degree temperatures at night could mark the end. The Nissan of Auburn Service Center can run a battery load test to see if your battery is healthy. They will also look for cracked or corroded battery cables and terminals.
Replace Your Windshield Wipers & Fill Your Wiper Fluid
Colder temperatures make any pliable material harder, making your wipers less effective, and November ushers in Auburn’s rainiest weather. Now would be a good time if you have not replaced them lately. Make sure you use freeze-resistant wiper fluid to effectively remove the light frost on your windshield in the morning. To be prepared if it snows or you travel to someplace where it does, ensure you have a good-quality ice scraper and snow brush in your car.
Check Your Tire Pressure
In the best conditions, cold weather causes air pressure in your tires to drop at approximately 1 PSI per 10 degrees. So, from summer to winter, that can be 3 psi or more during extreme cold fronts. If this happened to a single tire, a 4 PSI drop would be enough to trigger a warning on the tire pressure monitoring system since the systems check for discrepancies between tires. But as this would happen to all four tires simultaneously, the TPMS may not notice. You should check your tire pressure once a month against the recommended pressure, not on your tires but for your model, which, on Nissan and most other models, will be stated on a sticker located on the driver’s door jamb.
Inspect Your Tires
The drop in temperature will also harden the rubber on your tires, which results in a reduction in traction. This is the primary reason for winter tires, which are designed to stay pliable in cold temperatures. If you want to be truly prepared for the winter, opt for a set of winter tires for November through February, particularly if you plan on traveling to more snowy areas. This is important even on AWD and 4WD vehicles.
In any case, examining your tires for remaining tread life, uneven wear, and cupping is highly recommended. Also, check the sidewalls for cuts and nicks because these could get worse as the tire compound hardens. This could be a good time to rotate your tires as well.
Change Your Oil
Cold weather will thicken oil, which reduces its ability to circulate through the engine. Older oil will also thicken, so ensure you have fresh oil to keep your car running smoothly. Your owner’s manual should have a chart showing the recommended oil weight based on exterior temperature.
Check Your Belts And Hoses
As mentioned, colder temperatures make everything more rigid, so things that need to be flexible, such as belts and hoses, should be checked. If there are any cracks, they will get worse in the cold, which could hamper your vehicle’s operation.
Carry An Emergency Kit In Your Car
An emergency kit is a good thing to have in your car all year, with items such as flares, work gloves, a first-aid kit, a flashlight (separate from your smartphone, which you will want to keep powered for other things), and tools if you are handy. If you plan on traveling where snow build-up is likely, consider adding a shovel and kitty litter or sand for traction if you get stuck. Also, add blankets, water, and emergency food in case you are stuck in the cold. Highways can be more treacherous, particularly with winter storms that can bring slicker road conditions and reduced visibility. And even if you stay safe, something could happen a mile or two ahead of you that could keep you stuck for hours. So it is best to be prepared.
Let Us Help
Many of these activities can be done at home if you are comfortable with car maintenance. Some actions, such as running a battery load test or rotating tires, require special equipment. On some inspections, you may not be comfortable knowing exactly what to look for. The Rairdon’s Nissan of Auburn Service Department can perform all of the maintenance with trained personnel who have done this plenty of times and know what to look for. So whether you want to do it yourself or have us do it for you, make sure your car is ready for the winter.
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