Get Your Jeep Ready For Winter with These 7 Tips

The days are shorter, and the weather is getting colder, which means that winter is on its way. If you’re like most people, you want to make sure your vehicle is ready for the cold weather. Here at Performance Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram Centerville, we want to help our customers prepare their cars for winter. That’s why we’ve put together this guide with some tips on how to winterize your jeep. Keep reading to learn more, and if you need help getting your Jeep ready for winter click the link below to call our service center!

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Prepare Your Tires for Slippery Roads

One of the most important things you can do to prepare your jeep for winter is to make sure the tires are in good condition. Here in Ohio, we get a lot of snow and ice, which means it’s very difficult on them — especially since they lose pressure when cold weather sets into effect. Make sure you check your tire pressure before the season begins and any time there have been significant temperature changes.

Resources to Help You Check Your Tires

• The penny test: In a tire buying guide by Consumer Reports, they instruct you to take a penny and insert it into your tire’s tread groove. If you can see the top of Lincoln’s head, your tread depth is less than 4/32 of an inch, and it’s time to replace your tires.
• Tire pressure gauge: You can purchase a quality tire pressure gauge at any auto parts store. Most passenger vehicles recommend keeping between 30 and 35 PSI in your tires. Be sure to check the owner’s manual for the proper amount of pressure for your jeep’s tires.
• Your local service department: At Performance Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram Centerville, we would be happy to inspect your jeep’s tires and let you know if they need replacing. We can also help you choose the right winter tires for your jeep.

Winter Tires

Winter tires are specifically designed for driving in snowy and icy conditions. They have a different tread pattern that helps provide better traction on slippery surfaces. When shopping for new winter tires, look for ones marked with the mountain or snowflake symbol. These have been specially designed to perform well in winter weather conditions.

Check and Replace Your Wiper Blades

If you can’t see out of your windshield, you’re not going to be able to drive safely. That’s why it’s important to ensure your wiper blades are in good condition before the winter weather hits. Old wipers can become hard and brittle, making them less effective at clearing snow and ice from your windshield. In extreme cold, they can even break off completely, leaving you without a way to clear your view of the road.

To check the condition of your current wiper blades, simply run them across a dry section of your windshield. If they leave streaks or don’t make full contact with the glass, it’s time to replace them.

You should also consider getting winter wiper blades designed for use in snowy and icy conditions.

Windshield Washer Fluid Additive

Let’s face it — no matter how careful you are, your windshield is going to get dirty over the course of the winter. That’s why it’s a good idea to add a windshield washer fluid additive to your reservoir. This will help keep your windshield clean all winter long and let you have a clear view of the road.

There are a few different types of additives available, so you’ll need to choose one compatible with your washer fluid. Once you’ve added it to your reservoir, just top off the fluid as needed, and you’ll be all set. Don’t wait until your windshield is already dirty before adding an additive — get ahead of the game and make sure you can see clearly all winter long.

Check Your Car Battery

Another way to prepare your car for winter is to make sure the battery is in good condition. The life span of Jeep batteries can depend on a number of factors, with most lasting between two and five years. Cold weather can be tough on batteries, so it’s important to check it every year before the cold weather begins.

When checking your car battery, you should look for corrosion on the terminals and fluid levels. If the fluid levels are low, you should add distilled water to the battery. If there is corrosion on the terminals, you should clean it off with a wire brush.

You can check your battery using a voltmeter. The battery should have a voltage of 12.45 volts or higher when it’s fully charged. If the voltage is lower than 12.45 volts, you should charge the battery or replace it if it’s more than three years old.

Keep Your Gas Tank Half Full

Another thing to keep in mind is that you should always keep your gas tank at least half full during the winter months — preferably more if possible. This will help prevent the formation of ice in the fuel line and condensation inside the gas tank.

Get a Winter Emergency Kit for Your Jeep

Lastly, you should put together a winter emergency kit for your jeep if you get stranded. Almanac recommends including the following in your kit:

• Collapsible or folding snow shovel.
• Tire chains and tow strap.
• Hand warmers.
• Winter boots for longer trips.
• Sleeping bag for longer trips.
• Blankets, mittens, socks, and hats.
• Ice scraper and snow brush.
• Flashlight, plus extra batteries (or a hand-crank flashlight).
• Jumper cables.
• First-aid kit (band-aids, adhesive tape, antiseptic wipes, gauze pads, antiseptic cream, medical wrap).
• Bottled water.
• Multi-tool (such as a Leatherman multi-tool or a Swiss Army knife).
• Road flares or reflective warning triangles.
• Windshield cleaner.

These are just a few things you can do to prepare your car for winter. If you need help preparing your jeep for winter weather, come to Performance Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram Centerville and let the experts handle it. We’ll make sure your jeep is ready to take on whatever Mother Nature throws your way. Contact us online or give us a call at (937) 519-3542 today to schedule an appointment.

Image Credits: Image by Wesley Tingey is licensed with Unsplash License