End of Summer Car Care Checklist

At Grieger Motors, your friendly and reliable car dealer in Michigan City, we want you to have your vehicle ready for winter long before the first Artic blast arrives. So, here are some things to check as summer winds down.

Oil

Older oil can be sluggish in winter, thanks to a combination of cold and contaminants. Avoid problems by having your oil changed. Generally, you’ll need a thinner oil for winter.

Tire treads

Use the classic penny test to check tire tread depth. Place a penny head down into your treads, and if you can see all of Lincoln’s head, it’s time to get new tires.

Battery

Cold temperatures mean your engine needs more current from your battery to start, so make sure it’s operating properly. Clean off any corrosion on the battery terminals. Have your mechanic load-test it and replace if too weak for a cold start.

Antifreeze

In warmer months you want a 50/50 mix of antifreeze (coolant) to water, but in winter you need a 60/40 mix.

Wipers

A good rule of thumb is to replace windshield wipers every six months, and make sure you have plenty of wiper fluid.

Trunk

In addition to jumper cables and an ice scraper, place a 20-pound bag of sand or kitty litter in the trunk to improve tire grip.

We hope these tips help you drive safely this winter, and for any type of mechanical assistance, come see us at Griegers in Michigan City.

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