Winter Season Foreign Car Checklist

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Don’t you hate going out into the freezing snow and ice? The only thing worse is when you try to start your beautiful foreign car, and it just makes sad noises. That happens when you forget to give your vehicle some pre-winter TLC.

Of course, it’s a bit too late for pre-winter care, but spring is still a long way off. However, if you take care of the items on our Winter Season Foreign Car Checklist, you can prevent the most common winter problems before they stop you cold.

1. Do something about your old battery

Batteries can be problematic in freezing Connecticut, CT weather. As your dependable but no-so-new battery ages, it’s destined to give you the wintertime blues. So if you haven’t already checked your battery, do it now. Always keep this at the top of your foreign car checklist heading into winter.

Know when your warranty expires: Batteries get close to their warranty expiration date, and sometimes they die. Doesn’t that usually happen when you’re in a hurry?
Add water: If your battery needs water to stay charged, check the levels and give it some high-quality, distilled H20.
Check your charge: If your battery has a built-in charge display or a tech-savvy dashboard warning light, it’s easy to tell when it needs an energy boost. If necessary, ask your mechanic to check the charge with his equipment.
Scrub away the corrosion: When your battery terminals are covered with corrosion (first of all, how could you let it get that bad?), you can do a DIY Clean with a stiff brush and your favorite cola beverage. Baking soda works too.
Buy a new battery: If your battery was in questionable condition last year, why haven’t you bought a new one already?
Don’t forget the jumper cables: You might not need them, but if you do, you’ll pat yourself on the back for being prepared.

2. Take care of your tires

Tires are especially tricky in the winter. You need them to be in great shape to navigate Connecticut’s snowy, icy roads. So to keep you and your beautiful foreign car safe, take care of your tires all winter long.

Check your tread periodically for damaged and worn areas.
Make sure you inflate them to the designated PSI.
Add chains or studs if you need them. In our icy, snowy arctic weather, you’re allowed to keep them on from November 15th to April 30th.

3. Go ahead and replace your wiper blades

Don’t wait for a snowstorm to decide if your wiper blades are in good enough condition to make it through the winter. Instead, consider replacing them at least once a year. Nine out of ten auto parts shops say that’s a good idea.

4. Keep a Bottle of Windshield Wiper Fluid in Your Car

Windshield wiper blades work overtime during the winter. Unfortunately, that usually means you’re also using up a lot of fluid. If you already have a bottle in your car, make sure it’s full. And don’t forget your scraper, brush, and a bottle of lock de-icer, just in case. Never hurts to add these extras onto your foreign car checklist heading into winter either.

5. Test your heater

Unless you plan to spend your winter in a warm climate, be sure to have a mechanic check your heating system. You need heat to prevent frozen fingers and icy windshields.

6. Be good to your car this winter

Before the next snowstorm, give your car the TLC it deserves

Make sure it starts on demand. Check your lights to ensure you have proper visibility.
Get your windshield repaired or replaced if it has dings or cracks.
Keep your gas tank full. You’ll thank yourself if you get stuck on the highway during a storm or you have to take a long detour to get back home.

Roggi’s Auto Service in Hartford CT

Let Roggi’s Auto Service in Hartford help you take care of the items on your winter season foreign car checklist. Our mechanic can inspect your car or truck, run a high-tech diagnostic, and resolve any issues. We’ll also treat you like family. Call us at (860) 200-3480 to schedule an appointment, or visit our contact page.