3 Tips for Preparing Your Acura for Winter Driving

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​As we all know, winters here in Indianapolis, IN, get very cold. Our flat prairie landscape allows the wind to howl across the land and drop the temperature even further. Winter driving requires good preparation and regular car maintenance to enjoy a safe, trouble-free driving season, and it’s never too early to start taking steps to keep your family safer on the road. As your Acura dealership, we want to give you a few tips on good maintenance to prepare for the weather.

Battery Check

The average life of a battery is three to five years, but this can be reduced due to extreme weather. Our winters can be battery-killers, particularly if you have an older battery. Low temperatures make the battery’s electrolyte solution more viscous, reducing its power and storage capacity. If the temperature drops to 0 F or lower, the electrolyte can freeze, and your battery will fail.

We advise testing your battery before winter arrives. Our technicians will connect your battery to our computerized battery tester. This machine subjects your battery to various tests to determine its strength and storage capacity. If your battery is weak, we can replace it in minutes to ensure it works through the winter. If your battery is healthy, we advise parking your Acura in a garage in winter, if possible, to prevent your battery from freezing outside.

Fluid Check

Your Acura contains numerous fluids that keep your engine clean and healthy, allow the brakes to work effectively, ensure your transmission shifts gears, and that your windshield stays clean. All these fluids weaken over time and become less efficient. Older brake fluid, for example, can overheat and lose its ability to provide the hydraulic power your brakes need to engage.

Engine oil is a particular concern in winter. Old oil is thick, and it becomes even thicker as the temperature drops. Thicker oil can block the oil filter, causing engine problems ranging from increased friction damage to components to an overheated engine. Our technicians can easily check all your fluids and replace them if necessary.

Windshield Wiper Check

Your windshield wipers are easy to forget, but they’re vital when snow starts to fall. Your wipers can quickly clear snow and ice off the windshield to give you the visibility you need. We check your wipers to ensure the rubber blades are in good condition. Cracks in the wipers can cause them to break, and broken wipers can scratch your windshield.

We can install winter wipers to make driving in snow much easier. Their heavier and thicker blades are more resistant to damage from the cold. We’ll also replace your windshield wiper fluid with a variant that includes antifreeze to prevent the wiper fluid from freezing in low temperatures.

If you’d like to know more about preparing your vehicle for winter, contact us today at Ed Martin Acura in Indianapolis, IN.

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