Classic Kia’s Winter Weather Vehicle Maintenance and Service Tips

Dec 6, 2023

Winter is upon us! This holiday season, give yourself the gift of security and safety with regular vehicle maintenance appointments. Today’s blog is all about winter weather service tips to keep your vehicle in tip-top shape and make sure you can commute to and from holiday gatherings safely.

Need assistance with your service and maintenance? Make a call to our experienced service technicians and inquire about a winter car care appointment!

It’s important to bring your car in periodically for regular oil changes and fluid top-offs, and you may also request that our expert mechanics inspect your vehicle for the following:

Battery – In cold weather and decreasing temperatures, it requires more energy to start your car. This puts an increased stress on your car’s battery. Have a trusted mechanic test your battery for quality and longevity, and if it’s in need of replacement don’t delay in doing so. Ensure that the connections are cleared of any build-up and residue as well so that it makes proper contact. It’s advisable to replace your car battery a minimum of every 3 years to ensure optimal performance; please note that other factors including climate, driving style and habits, and duration of driving patterns may require you to change the battery sooner.
Heating System – If you’ve not done so already, have your AC/heating system serviced and refreshed before the cold weather fully sets in. It’s important to maintain properly working ventilation systems and heating for safe winter driving. Ensure that your defrosters and vents are in working order so you can clear inclement weather off your windows, mirrors, and windshields while driving! Proper visibility is essential.

Brakes – Stopping short in wet, icy, slippery conditions can mean the difference between life and death or catastrophic damage to your vehicle and others. Have a trusted technician inspect your brakes, rotors, and wheels for damage such as rust, salt buildup, or regular wear and tear. Have any damaged or worn items replaced ASAP to ensure you can stop safely on a dime if necessary!

Tire Quality and Tread Depth – In tandem with properly working brakes, regular tire maintenance is imperative. Your tire pressure can drop significantly with every 10 degree change in temperatures, so it’s important to keep an eye on this regularly. This coupled with proper winter or all-season tires can increase your safety when stopping short or hitting a patch of road with wintry conditions. Be sure that you have adequate tread depth, no signs of extreme wear, and have properly inflated your tires to pressure. Make sure you also have your tires rotated regularly to ensure even wear.
Road Emergency Kit – Make sure you have a winter emergency kit stocked up and ready to go. In a bin, box, or duffel bag we recommend keeping the following on hand in your trunk or backseat: thermal blankets and fleece blankets, a clean set of warm clothes, extra winter hats & gloves, kitty litter and/or small container of rock salt, a small portable or foldable snow shovel, flares, hand-crank LED flashlight or LED lantern, hand warmer packets, jumper cables, a fully stocked first aid kit, an ice scraper and snow brush, and a tow rope. These can all help you should your vehicle become stuck in any ice or encounter any other inclement weather related accident. We also recommend making sure you have a fully charged portable battery to jumpstart your vehicle and charge your mobile devices on hand at all times.