Living in Maine means dealing with some of the harshest winter weather conditions in the country. This can take a toll on your car, so it’s important to take some extra precautions to keep it in optimal working condition all season long.
While your top priority should be to winterize your vehicle with a trusted local mechanic, there are some additional everyday winter car care tips that can lessen the impact of the cold weather on your car.
This blog post will discuss 5 winter car maintenance tips that every driver in Maine should follow.
Tip #1: Keep Your Gas Tank Full
The gas in your car has a much lower freezing point than water. When your tank is near-empty, it can collect condensation, which can crystalize or even freeze inside your fuel lines and gas tank. This can stop fuel from reaching the car’s engine, preventing it from starting.
Additionally, the last thing you want is to get stranded driving in the middle of a blizzard with an empty gas tank. Accidents are much more frequent when there’s snow and ice on the road, so there’s always a chance you may be stuck as a result of accident-related traffic.
Tip #2: Don’t Raise Your Windshield Wipers
There’s a common misconception that raising your wipers during the winter will help keep them from freezing to your windshield. While this may be true, this can actually do more harm than good.
Raising your wipers can loosen their springs, causing them to float instead of making contact with your windshield. Strong winds can also snap them off entirely or slam them into your windshield hard enough to crack it in extreme cases. Instead, try covering them in plastic baggies to prevent them from freezing to the windshield.
Tip #3: Use WD-40 on Your Door Jambs and Locks
Water can creep into the crevices of your vehicle and freeze overnight, making it nearly impossible to open your doors once they’ve frozen shut. Fortunately, WD-40 is a miracle worker when it comes to freeing your frozen locks and door jambs. Just a few sprays of WD-40 can loosen the ice and get you on your way.
Tip #4: Wash Your Car Throughout the Winter
While car washing may seem like a summer activity, it’s actually a good idea to wash your car more often during the winter. The sand, de-icing chemicals, and salt used to keep our roads safe will actually eat away at the protective coating on your vehicle. If you don’t wash it off, the paint and undercarriage of your car become exposed which can allow rust to build up quickly.
Tip #5: Get a Protective Winter Coating
If you really want to protect your car from the ravages of winter, consider getting a protective winter coating. A good winter paint coating or sealant will keep the paint from chipping, prevent rust from forming, and keep the car looking new. While you can get your own sealant, we recommend contacting your local car detailing business for the best results.
Visit us at Berube’s Complete Auto Care in Lewiston, Maine, for all of your routine maintenanc, service, and repair needs. Visit our blog for more car maintenance tips from your local Maine auto mechanics.