When Should I Winterize My Honda, And What Needs To Be Done?

While the official start of winter may not happen until December 21, it’s already starting to feel like it here in central Kentucky! As we head into the start of the holiday season, many of us are anticipating and planning for celebrations and seasonal activities. It’s also important to make plans to prepare your car for the harsh realities of winter temperatures and precipitation.

 

The dedicated service team at Neil Huffman Honda of Frankfort wants to remind you of the importance of taking steps to winterize your vehicle before we experience the harshest conditions of the season. Because here in Frankfort and throughout central Kentucky, you never know when that will happen!

The sooner the better!

First things first – take a look at your calendar right away and call Neil Huffman Honda in Frankfort, Kentucky at 502-385-2130. Or, you may reach our service department online. This can be a busy time of year for automotive service departments, and you’ll want to reserve a spot to winterize your Honda ASAP. Winter’s coming fast – and now’s the time to make sure your vehicle is reliable, road-ready, and prepared to endure the elements of winter. You’ll want to get ahead of it before temperatures remain low for several months at a time.

Check your tires

While snow tires aren’t typically a common choice of motorists in this region, you do need to pay extra attention to the condition of your tires in winter. When cold weather does settle in, tires with some age and significant wear may be more brittle and therefore less responsive to snowy or slick road conditions. Any beginning of dry rot, cracking, or low tread should be addressed immediately. Good tire condition is a vital part of road safety along with protecting yourself, your passengers, and other motorists.

Test your battery

If your car battery is coming up on about three years old, it may be time for a new one in advance of the season’s coldest temperatures. That’s because cold temperatures place a heavier demand on automotive batteries, which means more power is required of them to start when weather is frigid. So if you notice your Volkswagen has been hesitating to start in milder temperatures, you’ll definitely want to bring in your vehicle to have a battery load test completed. It is also important to check all connections and for any possible corrosion. Neil Huffman Honda of Frankfort’s service department can take care of this, along with a host of other pre-winter vehicle checks.

Fresh motor oil

While regular oil changes are important any time of the year, this is especially critical during cold winter months. Motor oil can become especially thick and “sludgy” in cold temperatures, making it difficult to lubricate your Honda’s engine components properly. This could mean your engine won’t operate smoothly, or worse, costly damage could occur. Beyond keeping up with oil changes, you might also consider asking for a motor oil weight designed for colder temperatures. If it’s been longer than the recommended 3,000-to-5,000 mile oil change interval, and cold weather is creeping in, it’s time to call the Neil Huffman Honda of Frankfort service department for an appointment!

Check windshield wipers

You do not want to get caught with brittle, torn windshield wiper blades when the first snowfall (or ice!) hits. We’ve all been there, and it’s not fun – or safe. Fresh wipers mean you won’t struggle unexpectedly when snow, ice, and salt coat your windshield. Equally important, be sure to check your windshield wiper reservoir regularly during winter to be sure it has enough fluid.

Antifreeze and other critical fluids

A very important part of winterizing your Honda is checking antifreeze and other fluid levels. Antifreeze helps ensure the fluids designed to cool your engine do not freeze. Neil Huffman Honda of Frankfort service technicians will check all fluid levels to be sure they’re fresh, or topped-off. You generally want to replace antifreeze every two years.

Neil Huffman Honda of Frankfort has you covered!

Don’t take chances this winter – have your vehicle serviced soon and take care of any important repairs and maintenance needs before harsh temperatures settle-in. When your vehicle is in good shape and you feel safe on the road, you can face winter roads with confidence and enjoy the ride! The Neil Huffman Honda of Frankfort service department is standing by, ready to help.

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