8001 Minnetonka Blvd.

952.931.9696

Mon-Thu: 7am -6pm
Friday: 7am – 5pm

6407 West Lake Street

952.922.9696

Mon-Thu: 7am -6pm
Friday: 7am – 5pm

Thank you for choosing D&D Autoworks for your vehicles’ service, maintenance and repair.

Tips to Keep Your Vehicle Running Well Through the Winter

by | Nov 25, 2014 | Auto Repair, Car Care Tips, Winter Driving Tips, Winter Vehicle Maintenance, Winter Weather Preparedness

Knowing how to take proper care of your vehicle in the winter is important. As the temperatures become cold and drop, the roads can become slippery and icy. There is also the possibility of sudden snowstorms arising, which will make driving conditions dangerous, and visibility extremely poor. There are many preparations that you can do to make sure your vehicle is ready for the winter months and able to handle the extreme conditions when they hit. Most of these things are actually quite necessary if you want to remain safe while driving in the winter, as otherwise the vehicle could suffer or you could very easily lose control of it. By taking proper precautions, you can drive safely this winter.

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Check the Tires on Your Vehicle

The biggest issue with driving in the winter is the fact that there is almost no traction on the road most of the time. The snow can make the roads wet, which eventually freezes over into ice. Black ice is notoriously bad in the winter, as it is practically invisible and can give a sudden lack of traction to your vehicle. Lack of traction means when you turn the wheel it stops responding, and you lose control. If you notice that the tires have poor tread wear and traction, it is recommended you get a new set of tires. You can also bring your vehicle and we can inspect it for any issues or problems it might have.

Winter Safety Kits are Essential

Sometimes accidents can happen in the winter and you might end up stranded. While this does not seem like a bad thing normally in the summer season, in the winter season, temperatures can drop below freezing and become very dangerous. This is why it is important to stock your vehicle with a winter safety kit, to be ready in case you get stuck somewhere and have to wait for pick-up, or for conditions to clear up. A winter safety kit contains most of the things you would expect it to, including blankets, rations, clean water, hand warmers, as well as jumper cables and spare fluid changes in case you have issues that need tending to.

Be Prepared for Winter Driving

In the winter the cities and road maintenance crews typically put salt or sand down on the roads to keep traction and melt the ice. This is because these materials are oxidizers. They also react with metal in the same fashion, which is why a lot of vehicles end up needing repairs after the winter. An oxidizer causes metal to rust quickly, and that can put holes in the parts and ruin sections of the vehicle. Getting it cleaned regularly during and after winter to prevent this is very important. If you notice anything unusual with your vehicle or how it handles, make sure to contact us. We can inspect it for any problems or issues that it could have. This can help you to have a safe and reliable ride again.