To ensure your travels stay pleasant once the final months of the year start rolling in, it’s important to have your vehicle ready for the colder weather. To help you get a grasp on what forms of maintenance you should be keeping in mind and general safety tips on the road, we at Summit Toyota of Akron have put together the following guide!

Battery Maintenance

The battery is the core of every automobile, as it’s responsible for providing the necessary energy to power the engine and various other components. In most cases, a car battery can go without experiencing any major issues for several years, but not shielding it from lower temperatures can reduce its lifespan significantly. This is because the cold puts added stress on a battery that leads to power loss with slower chemical reactions. However, avoiding this danger isn’t difficult. If you have access to a garage or some other indoor location where you can leave your set of wheels, then park it there when you’re not on the road. In the case where you don’t have access to such an area, then you can also invest in a car cover to help protect the vehicle from frigid temperatures.

Safe Driving

While seeking proper winter maintenance with the help of our Service Department team is vital, you also need to redouble your safety efforts when cruising through Akron. It’s very common for ice to form on roads and you may not always be able to see. That’s why it’s best to drive at the speed limit or slightly below it, even if you’re traveling on streets that you’re well accustomed to. Along with that, maintaining a substantial amount of distance between you and the automobile directly ahead is equally important. Even a small patch of ice can affect your ability to brake quickly, and an extra second or two is sometimes the difference between causing an accident and preventing one.

Parts

Finally, don’t forget to acquire the right components to support your safe driving. If you’re expecting to deal with heavy amounts of snowfall, then the right tires for the job is a must. With the help of our Parts Department, you’ll be able to get your hands on whatever snow tires we have in stock, or order a specific set that fits your vehicle best. We also recommend getting a brand new set of windshield wipers if you haven’t replaced your current ones in quite some time. It may seem like a minor concern, but you don’t want to have your wiper blades fail to remove snow and sleet from your windshield when you need to see. Want more helpful tips to prepare for the winter? Our team of experts is here to help!