Winter Car Care Tips in Hopkinsville, KY
We want to help keep your Toyota in the best shape possible — and for as many years as possible. And that includes making sure your Toyota is ready for the changing seasons. When your vehicle needs maintenance or new parts, schedule a service appointment at Toyota of Hopkinsville. Below, you'll find a few helpful tips for preparing your vehicle (and yourself) for the onset of winter. Planning ahead will help you and your passengers stay safe and be ready for the unexpected.
Winter Car Care Tips
Switch Tires & Check Tire Pressure
Make sure your tires are ready for cold temperatures and snowy weather. If your vehicle has regular tires, we recommend switching them out for all-season or winter tires. Since winter tires stay more flexible than regular tires in cold weather, they provide better traction during the winter months. In addition, don't forget to regularly check your tire pressure. Since tires can lose up to one pound of pressure for every 10-degree temperature drop, make sure they're filled up properly throughout the wintertime.
Check the Basics
It's always a good idea to check to make sure all the lights, heat, defroster, and battery are working properly, and our service department can help with that. With fewer daylight hours in the winter, you'll be using your lights a lot more, so make sure they all work. You can change any burnt-out bulbs yourself or schedule a service appointment with us. And don't forget to make sure the heat and defroster work since you'll need heat to keep you warm and the defroster to keep the windows clear. In addition, make sure your battery is able to handle the dropping temperatures. We can perform a battery test and replace your old battery, if needed.
Keep Your Tank Full
By regularly filling up your gas tank in the winter, you can help keep accumulated water from freezing inside the fuel pump. Plus, you'll want to make sure you have plenty of gas in case you find yourself lost or stranded. If you get stranded, you'll be able to keep the engine running for heat.
Keep Cool with Coolant/Antifreeze
Before the temperatures drop, check your coolant levels or bring your vehicle to our service department. Since antifreeze — specifically, it's main ingredient ethylene glycol — keeps your engine from freezing, it's crucial to keep those coolant levels up. And we can help with that!
Have a Survival Kit
Pack a survival kit to keep in your car in case of an emergency or if your vehicle breaks down. This should include items like blankets, a first-aid kit, a flashlight, jumper cables, a knife and a portable phone charger.
If you'd like to learn more, or if you need your vehicle checked, schedule a service appointment and stop by our dealership at 4395 Fort Campbell Blvd., Hopkinsville, KY 42240. We look forward to serving our customers near Fort Campbell, Madisonville, Russellville and Western Kentucky.
