How to Prepare Your Car for Cooler Weather

Fall is a great time of year for so many things, but as the weather gets cooler and winter works her way into the atmosphere, there’s one thing you should have prepared for those chilly nights: your car.

If you’re not sure how to prepare your car for the cooler weather, look no further. We’ve put together a list of five tips to help you get your car ready for the cold.

Keep an Eye on the Tire Pressure

As the air becomes cooler, your tire pressure is at risk for dropping. Because of this, you’ll want to check on it more often to ensure that the pressure is at the appropriate level for your car. If your tire is low on pressure, it could result in an unsafe driving condition (potentially a flat tire) which could put you and your passengers in danger.

Check Your Antifreeze Levels

Antifreeze is a liquid within your car that helps keep the engine from freezing, so it’s especially important to monitor your car’s antifreeze levels throughout the fall and winter months. A frozen engine means a stranded driver. While antifreeze is important throughout all seasons since it keeps your car from overheating, you’ll definitely want to pay more attention to it as the temperature lowers.

Test Your Battery

The battery of your car is prone to freezing, especially if it’s not working properly or is on the verge of dying. Battery capacity is likely to decrease throughout the course of the winter, so testing and replacing your battery is crucial to preparing your car for the cooler months. If you aren’t sure how to test it, visit your local mechanic to ensure that your car has a battery that is in good condition.

Get a Fresh Coat of Wax

When you get your car a wax, you’re protecting the car’s exterior from harmful conditions. Just as rain, dirt, and pollen put your car’s exterior at risk, snow, frost, and ice can be harmful too. Getting a fresh wax will give your car an extra layer of protection throughout the cooler months. Are you located in the Richmond, Virginia area? Check out our services to see our waxing prices. We’d love to have you come by!

Stock Your Car with Winter Necessities

If you live in Virginia, then you know how unpredictable our weather can be. That’s why we recommend carrying winter necessities with you throughout all of the fall and winter seasons. Winter necessities for your car include: an ice scraper, a blanket, a bag of sand (incase your car gets stuck in the snow), a cell phone charger, a small broom (for brushing off snow), a flashlight, and a pair of gloves. Of course, many of these are for worst case scenarios, but it’s better to be prepared for nothing than to be unprepared for the worst.

At Flagstop, we love helping our customers keep their cars in the best condition possible throughout all the seasons of the year. So whether you need a wax, a vacuum, or a classic car wash, stop by one our many locations around Richmond. We’d love to help!