It's that time of year again….
Are you planning a trip for the Holidays?
Let us help you get your vehicle ready for the Winter season at NO CHARGE.
Please stop in anytime during our Service Department's business hours for a Complimentary Winter Pit Stop Service.
Winter Pit Stop Includes:
- Checking/adjusting tire pressure,
- Inspecting tire tread and wear conditions,
- Wheel alignment check,
- Battery health test, and
- Checking and topping off oil, washer and coolant fluids.
Maintaining your vehicle for the Winter
Just as we need a warm jacket to fight the cold or some rain boots to stomp through the mud our vehicles also require some care for the change in seasons.
Let me help explain why these winter checks are extremely important.
Tire pressures: With the change of ambient temperatures, you can expect a change in your tire pressures. For every 10-degree drop in temperature, the air in your tires decreases by one PSI (pound per square inch). It is important to check your tire pressures regularly. Underinflated tires will have an impact not only on your fuel consumption but also on your wallet. According to the US Department of Energy, every one psi drop in tire pressure lowers gas mileage by .4 percent. Underinflated tires may also affect the vehicle’s stopping distance, which can become dangerous to the safety of your loved ones. I encourage you to stop by. We would be happy to check your tire pressures and adjust them anytime, at no cost to you...you don’t even have to get out of your car if you don’t want to.
Tire tread and wear: The most important factor to consider in wet weather traction is tire tread depth. The grooves in the rubber are designed to allow water to be expelled from beneath the tire and prevent hydroplaning. Low tire tread causes increased stopping distances or losing control. During wet weather-type conditions, getting every bit of traction available can be important. How can I tell when my tires need replacement? Measure them. You should always measure your tires at three points; the inner tread, center tread and outer tread. You should prepare to replace your tires when measuring 5/32nds. And replace your tires when they have 4/32 to 3/32nds of tread life left. 3/32nds puts you at the wear bars. Don’t have a tire tread gauge, no worries, use a quarter. Simply insert a quarter into your tire’s tread groove with Washington’s head upside down and facing you. If you can see all of Washington’s head, your tread depth is less than 4/32 inch and it is past time to replace your tires. Or stop by anytime and we would be happy to check the tire tread for you.
Battery health test: Extreme temperatures, hot or cold, can be brutal when it comes to battery health. However, cold weather is especially hard on batteries. So much that it can even affect your garage door opener that sits inside your vehicle. During cold temperatures, starting an engine can take up to twice as much current as needed under normal conditions. So periodically checking your battery health and charging system is the smart way of preventing an unwanted situation.
Topping off oil, washer and coolant: As we brace for winter weather in the coming months you should keep an eye on coolant and oil levels. Just as we, humans, tend to slow down and weaken if we do not eat food or drink water, our vehicles will react the same. So lets keep them full and healthy. The last situation anyone would want to be in is stuck out in the cold.
Changing the engine oil is the single most important vehicle maintenance you can do for your car. Every make and model may have similar or different service intervals when it comes to fluid and filter changes. This is due to the type of oil used, type of service in which the vehicle is used, and the engine type. If your engine oil becomes low, it can cause many concerns with your vehicle including worse case, engine failure. Internal engine lubrication is important to keeping your vehicle running healthy.
Changing the engine oil is the single most important vehicle maintenance you can do for your car. Every make and model may have similar or different service intervals when it comes to fluid and filter changes. This is due to the type of oil used, type of service in which the vehicle is used, and the engine type. If your engine oil becomes low, it can cause many concerns with your vehicle including worse case, engine failure. Internal engine lubrication is important to keeping your vehicle running healthy.
Engine coolant is a heat-transfer fluid designed to remove excess heat from an internal combustion engine. It also serves to prevent freezing, acts as a water pump lubricant and most importantly helps protect from corrosion. Low coolant can cause vehicle-overheating concerns, which can rapidly cause breakdowns. Most coolant is a mixture of 50 percent coolant and 50 percent water. Always check your vehicle specifications prior to adding coolant. There are four or five different types of automotive coolant and it is important to avoid mixing different coolant. This will lead to contamination. Coolant contamination in general terms can cause a muddy type substance in the cooling system acting like clogged arteries. Leading to an expensive repair. When checking your coolant level, look at the minimum and maximum indicators located on the side of the bottle. Your coolant level should lie in between. Please use caution when removing the coolant cap if the engine is warm as this system is pressurized. The safest and proper way to check your coolant is when the engine is cold.
Low washer fluid is not only inconvenient but can cause poor visibility through your windshield and can lead to a dangerous situation on the road.
Remember Hewlett Volkswagen offers Free Pit Stop Service consisting of the checks mentioned above. Stop in to see our Certified VW staff during regular business hours. We would be happy to inspect any of these items for you.
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