Car maintenance tips for winters in Northwest Indiana: Cold Cars…No Boundaries

Nov 6, 2019

gers looks at car maintenance tips for winter-car maintenance tips for winters in Northwest Indiana

Cool Cars…No Boundaries is all about having fun, interviewing interesting people, and driving some very cool cars and trucks! But today, we make a shift- from cool cars to cold cars. Today you’ll learn car maintenance tips for winters in Northwest Indiana.

cold weather preparedness car with Griegers

In the last publication, you learned 11 simple tips for winter car care. This cold weather preparedness checklist was intended to help families make sure their car, suv, or truck was ready to survive the frozen tundra that is Northwest Indiana. If you haven’t read it, you may want to read it now. It offers a great winter maintenance list

Cold Car…No Boundaries: Holiday Series

winter car prep

Even the best vehicles need basic maintenance by a certified technician. Today, you’ll learn what types of maintenance is specific to our Northwest Indiana winters.

Learning what to have maintained will instill confidence that you’re receiving the most value from your service department or garage. More importantly, it will give you the confidence your car, suv, or truck can be counted on to go the distance.

Getting Your Vehicle Ready For Winter

car maintenance tips for winter

To learn how to get your car, suv or truck ready for another brutal Northwest Indiana winter, I checked in with the pros with the nonprofit National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE), an independent group that tests and certifies the competence of auto technicians.

parking car outside in cold weather

Car maintenance tips for winters in Northwest Indiana

According to the ASE website, “Regular, routine maintenance can help improve your gasoline mileage, reduce pollution, and catch minor problems before they become big headaches,” says Tony Molla, vice president of communications at ASE. ASE offers these car care tips to give you peace of mind during fall and winter driving:

Before you do anything else, read your owner’s manual and follow the manufacturer’s recommended service schedules.
Get engine performance and driveability problems — hard starts, rough idling, stalling, diminished power, etc. — corrected at a reputable repair shop that employs ASE-certified repair professionals. Cold weather makes existing problems worse.
Replace dirty filters, such as air, fuel, and PCV. A poorly running engine is less efficient and burns more gasoline.
As the temperature drops below freezing, add a bottle of fuel deicer in your tank once a month to help keep moisture from freezing in the fuel line. Keeping the gas tank filled also helps prevent moisture from forming.
Change your oil and oil filter as specified in your manual — more often if your driving is mostly stop-and-go or consists of frequent short trips. A poll of ASE Master Auto Technicians revealed that regular oil and filter changes is one of the most frequently neglected services, yet one that is essential to protect your engine.
The cooling system should be flushed and refilled as recommended. The level, condition, and concentration of the coolant should be checked periodically. A 50/50 mix of antifreeze and water is usually recommended. Do-It-Yourselfers: Never remove the radiator cap until the engine has thoroughly cooled! The tightness and condition of drive belts, clamps, and hoses also should be checked regularly by a professional technician.
The heater and defroster must be in good working condition for passenger comfort and driver visibility.
Replace old blades regularly. If your climate is harsh, purchase rubber-clad (winter) blades to fight ice build-up. Stock up on windshield washer solvent — you’ll be surprised how much you use during the winter months. And don’t forget to always carry an ice scraper.
Have your battery checked. The only accurate way to detect a weak battery is with professional equipment. However, most motorists can perform routine care: Wear eye protection and protective rubber gloves. Scrape away corrosion from posts and cable connections; clean all surfaces; retighten all connections. If battery caps are removable, check fluid level monthly. A word of caution: Removal of cables can cause damage or loss of data/codes on some newer vehicles, so always check your owner’s manual first. Be sure to avoid contact with corrosive deposits and battery acid.
Inspect all lights and bulbs. Replace burned out bulbs; periodically clean road grime from all lenses. To prevent scratching, never use a dry rag. Clouded lenses can be refinished by many service outlets or by using a DIY kit found in major auto parts outlets.
Exhaust fumes inside your vehicle’s cabin can be deadly. Have the exhaust system examined for leaks and problems while the vehicle is on a lift. The trunk and floorboards should also be inspected for small holes.
Worn tires are dangerous in winter weather. Examine tires for remaining tread life, uneven wearing, and cupping; check the sidewalls for cuts and nicks. Check tire pressure once a month, letting the tires “cool down” before checking the pressure. Rotate as recommended. Don’t forget to check your spare, and be sure the jack is in good working condition. Under-inflated tires or poorly aligned wheels makes your engine work harder and thus use excess gasoline.
Have your brakes checked periodically for safety and to prevent costly repairs that can be caused by neglect.
The transmission is often neglected until a major failure. Routine checks and fluid changes at prescribed intervals can prevent very costly repairs down the line.
Always carry an emergency kit with you: extra gloves, boots and blankets; flares; a small shovel and sand or kitty litter; tire chains; a flashlight and extra batteries; and a cell phone and extra car charger. Put a few “high-energy” snacks in your glove box.

cold weather and cars

Special thanks to Joe Luciano at Griegers Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Ram in Valparaiso for helping provide direction and information to this blog. You may recall meeting Joe in our last blog, 11 simple tips for winter car care.

Automotive Repair near me!?!?

I asked Joe Luciano if he had any advise for folks that break down on a trip and need to find a good repair shop or service center. Its always stressful to make your decision based on searching, “car service near me”.

Secrets to finding a good service department when on a trip.

Joe Luciano recommends looking at the service department’s website to see the credentials of the technicians and how long they have been with the automotive service center or garage. Awards, such as the J.D. Powers – Customer First Award for Excellence is always a good sign.

Griegers is a 3 time J.D. Powers- Customer First Award Winner for excellence

According to Joe Luciano, the turnover of mechanics at a garage or service departments can speak volumes about their integrity.

I agree. If a car dealership can’t take care of their employees, they won’t care about the customer’s experience.

car maintenance tips for winters in Northwest Indiana in Valparaiso- long history in Porter County

C’mon man! 200 years?

Joe proudly boasts of the credentials of the Griegers’ technicians and how long they’ve all worked together as a team. The Griegers Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram service department has over 200 years of combined experience working together at Griegers….and all of the Grieger’s journeyman technicians are FCA Master Certified. Wait. Did he say 200 years? Really!

Of course Joe is a little biased toward Griegers, but he has a right to be proud. Joe started with Griegers nearly 27 years ago. For Joe Luciano, Griegers is family…. You might even say he grew-up with Griegers.

Family owned and always there to support Valpo

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Thanks you spending time with us as we look at Car maintenance tips for winters in Northwest Indiana. We hope it helps you and your family have a wonderful and safe Holiday season. In our next 2 Holiday issues, you’ll look at winter-driving tips and secrets to choosing & installing a baby car seat.

the Jeep Wave-Jon Costas learns the Jeep Wave in Cool Car...No Boundaries

Written & Produced by Jim Jano Janesheski

JANO, LLC

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Tags: car maintenance tips for winter, Griegers, Griegers Motors, service, Valparaiso, Valpo, winter car maintenance checklist, winter car service
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